Google is jazzing up videoconferencing and chat features in its Workspace suite with new generative AI (genAI) features, including image and background enhancements for Google Meet and built-in translation for Google Chat, the companysaid on its Workspace update page.The latest features rely on Googles Gemini AI model, which the company is integrating into its Workspace Business and Enterprise plans. The companystarted the integration earlier this yearwithout the need for customers to buy an add-on plan for Gemini.The Gemini model used for Google Meet can generate or improvise custom backgrounds,touch up the looks of a participant in a meeting and use machine-learning to reduce background noise and adjust lighting. And Google Chat now gets built-in real-time translation features for 120 languages. Because the feature is built on Gemini, users dont have to switch to another window to translate.Systems administrators can decide which users get access to the features, and the users can then choose whether to enable the new options.Googles efforts to include better Gemini-powered tools in Workspace and now offering them for no additional charge make the software more competitive, said J.P. Gownder, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. But Microsoft isnt standing still, and Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to improve, he said. It remains a big challenge for Workspace to unseat Microsoft 365, regardless of the quality of individual Gemini-based features.Over time, Googles investments in AI and migration tools might reach a tipping point for some companies to switch. But most of Workspaces problems lie outside of the AI space.Transitioning from the Microsoft stack, and the millions of documents a large company has in Office formats, is a daunting challenge, despite Googles attempts to create migration tools, Gownder said.Organizations would have to overcome a great deal of inertia to make the switch, Gownder said. Imagine using thousands of Excel macros in the finance department, all of which no longer work in Workspace. And Google Workspace hasnt reached feature parity with Microsoft 365, he said.As for Microsoft, it recently announed it wasshutting down Skypeand moving the softwares functionality to Teams. Videoconferencing providers are also constantly plugging more AI tools into interfaces; Zoom has a feature to touch-up appearances, and also provides an AI assistant.