Google has begun rolling out Pics, an AI-powered image generation and editing tool integrated into Workspace, starting September 1. The tool offers object-level editing, text translation, and integration with Drive and Slides, and is available to eligible business and education customers.

Google Pics arrives in Workspace

Google started rolling out Pics to eligible Workspace customers on September 1, bringing Gemini-powered image generation and object-level editing to business users, as reported by TechRepublic. The tool is enabled by default for qualifying organizations, which TechRepublic noted may prompt IT teams to review access and content-governance policies before deployment.

According to Google's September 1 rollout announcement, Rapid Release domains began receiving Pics that day, with visibility taking up to 15 days. Scheduled Release domains are set to begin rolling out on September 15 on the same gradual schedule. The tool is available for Workspace customers with Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus plans, as well as Google AI Pro for Education users and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, according to Google's availability documentation. Business Starter is not listed among supported editions, TechRepublic reported.

Google Pics was first announced at Google I/O 2026 in May and has only recently become widely available, according to Android Police. It is available at pics.new and is rolling out over the next few weeks.

How Pics works

Pics uses AI to generate images and designs, and users can create new images with a prompt or build on pre-existing elements by uploading images from Google Drive, Photos, or their local device, as described by Android Police. The tool offers object segmentation, allowing users to edit, move, or resize specific parts of the designs it generates. Android Police quoted Google as saying the tool aims to end "prompt-and-pray," though that outlet noted Pics does not offer the design freedom of Canva, where AI is optional.

Users can also select individual elements for localized edits, modify or translate text, crop assets, upscale images to 2K or 4K, and return to earlier versions, according to TechRepublic. Text can be translated within the design, which Android Police noted allows projects to be expanded across multiple languages.

Pics is integrated with Google Drive and Slides at launch, with eventual integration in Google Docs, Android Police reported. Users can select an image in Google Docs or Slides and open Pics editing tools without leaving their workflow, and projects can be created or opened through Drive, TechRepublic said. Google said on September 1 that one-click editing of nearly any image stored in Drive would arrive in the following weeks.

Technology and administration

The application uses Gemini's Nano Banana imaging technology, TechRepublic reported. Recent testing of Nano Banana 2 Lite showed how faster AI image generation could make visual experimentation more practical for marketing, product concepts, presentations, and other business workflows, according to that outlet.

TechRepublic also noted that current documentation lists Pics as desktop-only. Administrators can turn Pics off for an entire domain, organizational unit, or group, allowing for limited pilots before companywide deployment. Usage limits apply, with higher access to generative AI features in Pics through at least February 28, 2027, and possible reductions afterward with customer notification.

Google's Workspace terms state that customer data is not used to train or fine-tune the generative AI models supporting Workspace without the customer's permission or instruction, as reported by TechRepublic.

Availability and rollout

Pics is available at pics.new and is rolling out over the next few weeks to eligible Workspace customers, according to Android Police. The rollout extends Google's push to weave Gemini into the apps businesses already use, TechRepublic noted, with earlier Workspace updates adding AI-assisted analysis, meeting features, automation, and migration tools.