Google Employees Compete to Create ‘Golden Prompts’ for AI in Workspace Productivity Service
At Google’s recent IO conference in May, the company unveiled its latest AI features for Google Workspace, designed to make users more efficient through smart, generative AI tools. However, effective use of these tools depends heavily on well-crafted prompts that can draw meaningful outputs from the AI models, known as Gemini AI. To find the best prompts, Google launched an internal competition among its employees, offering enticing rewards such as gold bomber jackets and cash bonuses.
Inside the Competition
According to documents reviewed by Business Insider, Google presented this unique challenge to its employees. The objective was to come up with “golden prompts” that could enhance how Workspace customers manage tasks such as filing invoices or addressing customer queries. Winning prompts would be those that allow users to extract maximum value from Workspace’s new AI capabilities.
The competition saw significant participation from Google’s workforce. An example prompt provided to inspire employees described a small business owner struggling to keep up with customer reviews on Google Maps. The sample “golden prompt” offered for this scenario was: “Every time I get a new Google review from a customer, add it to my Reviews Sheet and suggest a response. Let me review the response before publishing to Google Maps.”
Prizes and Recognition
To encourage participation, Google offered eye-catching rewards. Employees who proposed the top seven prompts were awarded golden bomber jackets featuring the Gemini logo. Additionally, spot bonuses were given to these winners as another token of appreciation for their innovative ideas. This reward system highlights Google’s commitment to not only innovation but also to recognizing and valuing the creativity of its employees.
Winning Prompts and Future Plans
The winning prompts came from various teams within Google and are currently being considered for integration into the official Google Workspace product. During the IO conference, Aparna Pappu demonstrated some of these concepts, such as Gemini AI’s ability to automatically extract invoices from a folder and organize them into a color-coded Google Sheets spreadsheet. These features are expected to roll out to users via the Workspace Labs pilot program later this September.
Competing with Microsoft
Google’s push to embed AI into Workspace is part of a broader strategy to compete with Microsoft’s Office 365 suite, which also boasts its own AI, known as Copilot. Both companies are aiming to convince corporate customers to opt for AI-enhanced versions of their productivity tools, promising increased efficiency and smarter operation.
To further this effort, Google has been disseminating knowledge on effective AI prompting through various guides. Their guidelines suggest that successful AI prompts generally average 21 words, a small yet impactful piece of advice aimed at making interactions with AI models more user-friendly and productive.
Employee Insights and Future Developments
Google’s initiative to involve employees in developing these critical prompts not only fosters innovation but also ensures that the solutions are practical and grounded in real-world use cases. The enthusiasm and creativity driven by the competition hint at a future where AI in productivity tools could be more intuitive and efficient than ever before.
The competition also serves as a morale booster and a fun way to engage employees, drawing on their direct experience and insights to enhance the company’s offerings. As AI continues to evolve, the role of these “golden prompts” will likely grow, shaping how effectively these technologies are adopted and integrated into everyday business tasks.
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