Google: Using the Gemini App

Environment

U-M Google, Gemini app

Issue

  • What is Google Gemini?
  • How do I access and use the Google Gemini app with my U-M Google account?
Interested in learning more about Gemini at U-M? Join ITS for an instructional support workshop: "From Idea to Insight: Exploring Gemini and NotebookLM for Education"

Resolution

What is it?

Google Gemini is a generative AI chat app available to all University of Michigan faculty, staff (regular and temporary), and students. (Sponsored affiliates, alumni, retirees, and Shared Accounts do not have access to Gemini.) Like U-M’s GenAI services, Gemini can be used to create new content and images, help brainstorm ideas, draft or summarize writing, explore complex topics, and assist with research and creative work.

There are three options you can utilize with Gemini:

  • Fast (previously Flash): Answers quickly.
  • Thinking: Solves complex problems.
  • Pro: Thinks longer for advanced math & code.
    • Deep Research: Get in-depth answers. It can be accessed by clicking the Tools icon in the chat box and selecting Deep Research while using the "Pro" option, or by going to https://gemini.google.com/deepresearch.
    • Note: This model is highly restrictive in its daily chat limits, and you may only get a few opportunities to use its specific features each day. Refer below for more information.

All three options are using their respective Gemini 3 models: 3 Flash ("Fast" and "Thinking") and 3 Pro ("Pro"). The default model selected in the Gemini web app each time you visit is always the last one you used.

There are several daily chat limitations for each Gemini model. Google documents the general limits but notes that they may change frequently based on demand and available capacity, and that any changes will be made without notice. (For example, image generation and editing with Nano Banana are in high demand, and limits for this feature within U-M Google will change frequently.)

According to them, the number of prompts you can use before hitting the limit depends on factors like which model you're using (3 Flash vs. Pro), how long and complex your prompts are, the size and number of files you upload, and the length of your conversations with Gemini. Gemini will notify you when you’ve hit your limit and when you can access the model again. Refer to the Google Help Center for more information about these limits (found under the "Education Fundamentals" column).

How do I access it?

  • U-M Google accounts have access to the free Gemini app as a Core Service covered under our agreement with Google.
    • You can access Gemini via the web app at https://gemini.google.com or the mobile app (Android and iOS).
    • Ensure you are logged in to your U-M Google account and not a personal (non-UM) account.
      • In Gemini, Google displays the University of Michigan logo beside your profile picture in the top-right corner.
  • You can connect and use some Google Workspace services within the Gemini web app.
    • Gemini allows you to “Connect Google Workspace” and authorize your U-M Google account when you first “@” mention an app in the chat prompt field or from your Settings > Apps option in Gemini.
    • For Gemini to connect to Workspace services, both the “Smart features and personalization” settings must be enabled in your Gmail settings (found under the "General" tab).
    • When you connect Google Workspace, you can ask Gemini to:
      • Summarize, get quick answers, and find information across Workspace apps and services, including Gmail, Docs, and Drive.
      • Create and manage your events in Google Calendar.
      • Add and retrieve your tasks from Google Tasks.
      • Create and retrieve notes and lists from Google Keep.
    • As with any generative AI product/feature, it may behave/respond inconsistently with how you’d expect.

What don't I have access to?

Privacy & security

  • Gemini at U-M is approved for use with the same types of sensitive data as your U-M Google account. Refer to the Sensitive Data Guide for more information.
    • Institutional data, such as FERPA, should never be used with a personal (non-UM) Google account.
    • The data protection offered by U-M Google is not available in personal accounts.
  • Your interactions, chats, uploaded files, and generated content are not human-reviewed or used to train Google’s AI models, as long as you are using your U-M Google account to access the app and do not export the data to an Additional Service not covered under our agreement with Google.
    • They remain in U-M Google and are not shared externally with third parties.
    • If you export content or code from Gemini, the terms and policies of the service you export to will apply to that content.
  • You can view your Gemini Apps Activity at any time. Your conversation history is retained for 18 months and cannot be deleted before that expiry.

Resources

  • You can export Gemini chat responses to Google Docs or Gmail as plain text by clicking the three-dots icon under the response and selecting the desired option. (If the response contains a table, you can also export it to Google Sheets.)
    • When working with Python code in Gemini, do not click the “Export to Colab” button if prompted. Google Colab is an Additional Service that is not covered under our agreement with Google and does not offer any data protections. If you export it to this service, Google will collect your prompts, related code, generated output, related feature usage information, and your feedback. Google will use this data to improve and train its AI models.
  • The ability to create Gems is unavailable in the mobile app (but remains available in the web app).
  • Google may advertise Google AI Pro (Ultra) to you within the app and ask you to “try” it, but you won’t have the ability to do so with your U-M Google account.
    • You also cannot pay to use Google AI Pro with your U-M Google account.
  • Gemini does not meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for accessibility.
    • While you are encouraged to explore the capabilities of Gemini, we also strongly encourage you to explore U-M's GenAI tools (U-M GPT, Maizey, GoBlue, etc.) as these tools provide some overlapping functionality, but with important advantages due to greater internal control over accessibility.

Google Help Center

Refer to the ITS AI Services site for more information on Google Gemini and NotebookLM at U-M.

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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