Tech companies are increasingly aggressive in pushing AI features into user interfaces, using buttons and pop-up tips to encourage adoption. Google Docs, for instance, has introduced a large Gemini bar at the bottom of the screen for many users, a feature that has rolled out progressively since April.
Hiding the Gemini Bar in Docs
If you find the new toolbar intrusive, it is relatively simple to hide. Click on Gemini in the menu bar, hover over "Bottom bar preferences," and select "Turn off." This action removes the bar from your immediate view, though it does not disable the underlying AI functionality.
Disabling AI via Gmail Settings
To banish AI features more thoroughly from Google Docs, personal account users must navigate an obscure path through Gmail settings. The steps are as follows:
- Open Gmail and click the gear icon for settings.
- Select "See all settings."
- In the "General" tab, scroll to the "Smart features" option.
- Uncheck the box and refresh your Google Docs window.
However, this comes with a significant trade-off. Disabling this setting also turns off Gmail’s spellcheck, grammar suggestions, Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and nudges. While it removes Gemini from Docs, it also strips away long-standing assistive tools in your inbox.
The Workspace Divide
It is important to note that these controls are largely limited to personal accounts. For those using Google Workspace accounts managed by an employer, the visibility of AI features is determined by IT administrators. Individual employees generally cannot opt-out without administrative intervention.
The Browser Extension Alternative
For users who want to keep Gmail's basic smart features but hide the AI branding, the "Bye Bye Gemini" Chrome extension offers an alternative. It uses CSS to render Google’s AI elements invisible across Docs, Gmail, Drive, and even Google Search results. This provides a way to declutter the interface without sacrificing backend functionality like spellcheck.
