8 FREE Google AI Tools to Enhance your Workflow

Sarthak Dogra Last Updated : 09 Jan, 2026
5 min read

The name Google has always been synonymous with technology, and things are no different in the age of AI. Google has quietly been the frontrunner in the AI revolution with a host of products that surprisingly few people know about. Of course, the showstoppers like Gemini and NotebookLM have been popular, but their capabilities have not been explored to the max by many. The level of integration that Google has enabled for these (and other) AI tools across its ecosystem is second to none. From workflows to education, Google’s AI is gradually changing our online habits, and these tools are to thank for it. Here, we will explore all such benefits that these AI tools by Google provide for absolutely free.

Note that these tools are just extensions of a particular product. Even then, they add a monumental value in practice. So make sure you explore them all, so you don’t have to pay for any of the pricey AI tools out there that offer the same.

1. Nano Banana/ Imagen for Media Generation and Editing

If there is one area where Google’s AI strength becomes instantly visible, it is media generation. Google’s image models, powered by Imagen and what the internet lovingly calls “Nano Banana,” are quietly among the best in the business. Yet, most users barely scratch the surface.

At a basic level, these tools let you generate high-quality images from simple text prompts. But their real value lies in refinement. You can iterate on style, lighting, composition, and mood with surprising precision. Want a clean illustration for a presentation? Done. Need a realistic visual mock-up for an idea you are pitching? Easy. Trying to visualise a concept before building it? This is where it shines.

Needless to say, for anyone working in the content space, these tools are a blessing in disguise. The task of experienced graphic designers is now done in seconds. You must try these Nano Banana prompts for generating an image and see for yourself.

Also read: 7 Latest AI Drops by Google Will Make You a Powerhouse at Work

2. Veo for Video Generation

If you haven’t tried Veo yet, do it NOW! This is the same AI tool that makes all the viral AI videos you see online these days. And if you have scrolled your Instagram or Facebook feed recently, you know that Veo does it with surprising precision.

At a glance, Veo lets you turn ideas into a visual concept. Create a short cinematic clip or animate a scene in seconds that would otherwise require a full production setup. The real strength lies in speed. What once took days can now be done in minutes, making video a thinking tool, not just a publishing format.

This is especially useful for early-stage ideas. Product demos, explainer snippets, visual storytelling, or even creative experimentation before committing resources. You are no longer blocked by tools or timelines. You can test visually, iterate fast, and move on. Try these ideas on Veo and test it firsthand.

3. Firebase Studio for Websites and Apps

Move over images and videos. Google’s AI can now make entire websites and apps in seconds. This is where Firebase Studio steps in. It helps you build and launch websites or apps faster using AI, by handling much of the common development setup, like authentication, databases, hosting, and deployment.

If you are new to app development, Firebase Studio lets you focus on the idea instead of complex configurations. If you already code, it helps you prototype and ship faster. It is especially useful for building MVPs, student projects, or internal tools without relying on any paid no-code platforms.

You can read more about Firebase here.

4. Google AI Studio for Gemini-powered Apps

If you are interested in using Google’s Gemini models for your own application, Google AI Studio is the platform to do that on. It is a browser-based platform for prototyping, building, and testing applications using Gemini models. It supports text, image, and video inputs, and lets you experiment with prompts, model settings, and multimodal workflows without any complex setup.

The best part – it also gives access to the Gemini Developer API and can generate deployment-ready code. This makes it useful for developers, students, and researchers who want to go from idea to a functional, shareable AI app using free Google AI tools.

Check out how I built an app in minutes using Google AI Studio.

5. NotebookLM for Study & Research

We have covered the various features of NotebookLM in extensive detail repeatedly in our blogs. Reason – it simply is one of the most powerful AI tools you can work on today. In case you are unaware, NotebookLM is Google’s AI-powered research and learning assistant. It works directly on your own sources – documents, PDFs, links, notes, videos, etc. – and helps you go through them using summaries, mind maps, quizzes, and even audio or video-style overviews.

This means instead of passively reading, you can actively learn from your material. Use it to summarise long reports, prepare for exams, revise concepts, or understand complex topics faster. It is especially useful for students, researchers, and professionals who deal with dense information regularly. Among free Google AI tools, NotebookLM stands out for making learning structured, interactive, and far more efficient.

Check out these 7 cool NotebookLM features that no one told you about.

6. Gemini Ask on YouTube for Interaction with Videos

This is a fairly new addition to the list of AI tools and features by Google. As the company continues to integrate its AI models in everyday experiences for users, YouTube getting a taste of it was inevitable. And lo and behold, Gemini is now on YouTube, and lets you practically chat with the videos you watch.

This means you can get quick answers, go through chapters, and have insights in a second. Just click on the Gemini icon placed right below a video, and it answers all your queries related to that video in real-time. It is a nifty little feature that bypasses the need to copy and paste the YouTube URL into Gemini and then gain information from it.

Note that Google is still rolling it out to users in specific countries, including India and the US. Until the rollout is complete, you may or may not see the feature on your YouTube account. For instance, I see the Gemini Ask within YouTube on my phone but not on my laptop.

7. Gems in Gemini for AI Automation

Gems in Gemini let you create custom AI assistants tailored to specific tasks. You can define instructions, upload files or data, and shape how the assistant responds, making it behave like a specialised helper instead of a generic chatbot.

You can build a Gem for writing, research, coding help, or even internal documentation. Once set up, it remembers context and follows your rules consistently. This is especially useful for recurring tasks where you want reliable, repeatable outputs. Among free Google AI tools, Gems make personal AI assistants practical and easy to customise.

8. Gemini Live (Stream) for Live Screen Interaction

If you haven’t heard of it yet, today’s your lucky day. Gemini Live is a recent AI tool from the house of Google that lets you host real-time AI interactions with screen sharing. You can talk to the AI live, show documents or screens, and get instant explanations, suggestions, or walkthroughs during meetings or presentations.

Use it for live demos, collaborative problem-solving, training sessions, or explaining complex material on the fly. It works well in meetings where you need quick answers or visual guidance without switching tools. As free Google AI tools go, Gemini Live is especially useful for interactive discussions and presentations.

Also read: 10+ Free AI Courses by Google

Conclusion

Google’s AI ecosystem has quietly reached a point where paying for expensive third-party tools is no longer required. From media generation and app building to research, learning, and live collaboration, these free Google AI tools cover far more ground than most people realise.

The real advantage, however, is not access but usage. When used intentionally, these tools can replace multiple subscriptions, speed up workflows, and help you build, learn, and experiment faster in 2026. If there is one takeaway, it is this: before spending money on AI, make sure you have fully explored what Google already offers for free.

Technical content strategist and communicator with a decade of experience in content creation and distribution across national media, Government of India, and private platforms

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