Gemini−24 Negative

Operator Insights

What are business and product leaders learning from rolling Gemini out across their teams?

14 accounts: 1 left it or turned it down, 3 run it beside another tool, 1 evaluated it, 5 adopted it and 4 reported by others

Left it or turned it down1

Stanford University ITCentral IT service ownerStanford University
Organization-wide. Stanford's Google Workspace accounts. Service page dated August 25, 2026.
Stanford University IT, published Aug 25, 2026Read the write-up (opens Stanford University IT in a new tab)
Observation
Stanford approves the Gemini app for high-risk data and declined to turn Gemini on inside Gmail and Docs.
Takeaway
Decide the in-app setting and the chat app separately; Stanford keeps one on and the other off.
What happened
Stanford approves the standalone Gemini app for data up to high risk, including protected health information. It declined to enable Gemini inside Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gmail for any account, citing data privacy and compliance concerns, and says paid Gemini versions cannot be bought for Stanford accounts under Google's licensing policies.
- Public organization write-up (university IT service page)
- Data approvals stated by Stanford
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Stanford's Google Workspace accounts. Service page dated August 25, 2026.
- Public organization write-up (university IT service page)
- Data approvals stated by Stanford
Team
Every Stanford account
Duration
In effect at August 2026
Workload
Gemini app work on data up to high risk
Product version
Gemini app; Gemini in Workspace apps disabled

Run it beside another tool3

James ReggioCTOBrex
Organization-wide. Fintech company. Described January 17, 2026.
Latent Space, published Jan 17, 2026Listen to the episode (opens Latent Space in a new tab)
Observation
Brex offers Gemini beside ChatGPT and Claude and lets each employee choose.
Takeaway
Buy a few seats of each and let use decide before a company-wide contract.
What happened
Brex buys a small number of seats of several assistants and lets employees request a Gemini, ChatGPT or Claude licence through ConductorOne in Slack, so it can switch as the products change.
“And so, for instance, like we allow employees to... basically go to, in Slack and use Conductor One to get a ChatGPT, a Cloud or a Gemini license.”
James Reggio, at 21:15 in the recording
- Podcast episode (Latent Space)
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Fintech company. Described January 17, 2026.
- Podcast episode (Latent Space)
Team
Employees who request a licence
Workload
Everyday assistant work
Product version
Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude licences

RipplingDec 28, 2025Lenny's PodcastRippling's product chief uses Gemini beside ChatGPT to phrase ideas he has already written.
Matt MacInnisChief Product OfficerRippling
Individual. A product executive's own writing, described December 28, 2025.
Lenny's Podcast, published Dec 28, 2025Listen to the episode (opens Lenny's Podcast in a new tab)
Observation
Rippling's product chief uses Gemini beside ChatGPT to phrase ideas he has already written.
Takeaway
Hand Gemini a finished argument to sharpen, and keep the thinking with people.
What happened
MacInnis writes the idea himself and uses Gemini and ChatGPT to find crisper ways to say it, finding both good at refining wording and not useful for generating ideas.
“I do turn to AI, ChatGPT and Gemini, where I take a really, let's say, angular view of some topic and I give ... really, I write the essay for the AI and I'm like, "Look, this is the crisp idea I want to communicate. Help me come up with pithy ways to articulate these things."…”
Matt MacInnis, at 1:24:37
Podcast episode (Lenny's Podcast)
Personal use
Deployment details
Individual. A product executive's own writing, described December 28, 2025.
Podcast episode (Lenny's Podcast)
Personal use
Team
One executive
Workload
Refining written arguments
Product version
Gemini and ChatGPT
TinyJul 3, 2025Lenny's PodcastTiny's co-founder keeps Gemini for very large inputs, beside Claude for writing and ChatGPT.
Andrew WilkinsonCo-founderTiny
Individual. A holding-company founder's own stack, described July 3, 2025.
Lenny's Podcast, published Jul 3, 2025Listen to the episode (opens Lenny's Podcast in a new tab)
Observation
Tiny's co-founder keeps Gemini for very large inputs, beside Claude for writing and ChatGPT.
Takeaway
Route long documents to Gemini and keep a second assistant for writing.
What happened
Wilkinson's basic stack is Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini, and he uses Gemini mostly for things that are really large, Claude for writing and ChatGPT for everything else.
“Other tools, I mean otherwise, it's the basic stack of Claude and ChatGPT and Gemini. And Gemini I use mostly for things that are really large.”
Andrew Wilkinson, at 51:25
Podcast episode (Lenny's Podcast)
Personal use
Deployment details
Individual. A holding-company founder's own stack, described July 3, 2025.
Podcast episode (Lenny's Podcast)
Personal use
Team
One founder
Workload
Very large inputs
Product version
Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT

Evaluated it1

AI Competency CentreUniversity central AI serviceUniversity of Oxford
Organization-wide. 240 staff in a six-month pilot. Report published November 26, 2025.
University of Oxford AI Competency Centre, published Nov 26, 2025Read the write-up (opens University of Oxford AI Competency Centre in a new tab)
Observation
Oxford's 240-person Gemini Pro pilot preceded advance registration for £170-plus-VAT annual licences, with provision expected in January 2026.
Takeaway
Pilot the paid tier with volunteers, then open registration so staff request licences and purchases follow those requests.
What happened
Oxford's AI Competency Centre ran a six-month Gemini Pro pilot with 240 colleagues. 73% said Gemini helped them work more effectively and 85% reported measurable productivity gains across research, administration and teaching preparation, by their own report. Oxford then opened advance registration for annual Gemini Pro licences, to be charged at £170 plus VAT per person, with provision expected to begin in January 2026 (Nov 26, 2025).
“85% saw measurable productivity gains across research, administration, and teaching preparation.”
University of Oxford AI Competency Centre
- Public organization write-up (university news)
- Productivity gains self-reported
Deployment details
Organization-wide. 240 staff in a six-month pilot. Report published November 26, 2025.
- Public organization write-up (university news)
- Productivity gains self-reported
Team
240 staff in the pilot
Duration
Six-month pilot; licence provision expected from January 2026
Workload
Research, administration and teaching preparation
Product version
Gemini Pro
Measurement
Share reporting productivity gains (85%), self-reported

Adopted it5

N26May 22, 2025Lenny's PodcastN26 runs Gemini across its work and its product chief singles out meeting notes for people who miss the meeting.
Mayur KamatChief Product OfficerN26
Organization-wide. Digital bank. Described May 22, 2025.
Lenny's Podcast, published May 22, 2025Listen to the episode (opens Lenny's Podcast in a new tab)
Observation
N26 runs Gemini across its work and its product chief singles out meeting notes for people who miss the meeting.
Takeaway
Start Gemini where the payoff is plain, such as notes for people who missed the meeting.
What happened
Kamat reports that N26 has Gemini across its work, and that its meeting notes work well, especially for colleagues who do not make it to the meeting.
“So we have Gemini across the work. So for meeting notes and stuff, works great, especially for folks who don't make it.”
Mayur Kamat, at 1:15:10
Podcast episode (Lenny's Podcast)
No figures given
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Digital bank. Described May 22, 2025.
Podcast episode (Lenny's Podcast)
No figures given
Team
Company-wide
Workload
Meeting notes
Product version
Gemini in Google Workspace
University of MinnesotaJun 11, 2026University of Minnesota ITMinnesota offers Google AI Pro for US$228 per user a year, with prioritized access over the included Gemini tier.
University of Minnesota Office of Information TechnologyUniversity central ITUniversity of Minnesota
Organization-wide. Faculty and staff. Announced June 11, 2026.
University of Minnesota IT, published Jun 11, 2026Read the write-up (opens University of Minnesota IT in a new tab)
Observation
Minnesota offers Google AI Pro for US$228 per user a year, with prioritized access over the included Gemini tier.
Takeaway
Expect heavy users to need a paid tier above the bundled Gemini, and price it before demand arrives.
What happened
After giving everyone Gemini under its Google licence in 2025, Minnesota began selling Google AI Pro to faculty and staff at US$228 a year in response to demand. The Gemini included with Education Plus can be throttled or downgraded at peak hours and does not include Gemini inside the Workspace apps.
Public organization write-up (university IT news)
Price stated by the university
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Faculty and staff. Announced June 11, 2026.
Public organization write-up (university IT news)
Price stated by the university
Team
Faculty and staff who buy the add-on
Duration
From June 2026
Product version
Google AI Pro add-on over Education Plus
Texas A&M UniversityAug 21, 2026Texas A&M Technology ServicesTexas A&M runs Gemini campus-wide for FERPA data and bars health and sensitive personal records.
Texas A&M Technology ServicesUniversity central ITTexas A&M University
Organization-wide. Texas A&M campus. Service page dated August 21, 2026.
Texas A&M Technology Services, published Aug 21, 2026Read the write-up (opens Texas A&M Technology Services in a new tab)
Observation
Texas A&M runs Gemini campus-wide for FERPA data and bars health and sensitive personal records.
Takeaway
Publish which data classes Gemini may touch on day one; Texas A&M names them.
What happened
Texas A&M offers Gemini to the whole campus as a more secure alternative to the consumer app, approved for FERPA data and barred for sensitive personal and health records. Employees who want Gemini inside the Workspace apps can buy Google AI Pro.
Public organization write-up (university IT service page)
Data approvals stated by the university
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Texas A&M campus. Service page dated August 21, 2026.
Public organization write-up (university IT service page)
Data approvals stated by the university
Team
Whole campus
Duration
In effect at August 2026
Workload
Work on FERPA data
Product version
Gemini app, Google AI Pro add-on
University of MinnesotaJul 22, 2025University of Minnesota BriefWith 13,000 people on free ChatGPT accounts, Minnesota rolled Gemini out to everyone under its Google licence.
University of MinnesotaUniversity communicationsUniversity of Minnesota
Organization-wide. All faculty, staff and students. Announced July 22, 2025.
University of Minnesota Brief, published Jul 22, 2025Read the write-up (opens University of Minnesota Brief in a new tab)
Observation
With 13,000 people on free ChatGPT accounts, Minnesota rolled Gemini out to everyone under its Google licence.
Takeaway
Move people off personal accounts by offering the bundled assistant with a use attestation.
What happened
In March 2025 over 13,000 people at the university used free ChatGPT accounts. Minnesota then rolled out Gemini with enterprise data protection to every faculty member, staff member and student at no added cost under its Google licence, with an appropriate-use attestation and review of every output.
Public organization write-up (university news)
Usage figure stated by the university
Deployment details
Organization-wide. All faculty, staff and students. Announced July 22, 2025.
Public organization write-up (university news)
Usage figure stated by the university
Team
All faculty, staff and students
Duration
From July 2025
Product version
Gemini with enterprise data protection
University of GeorgiaApr 29, 2025University of Georgia EITSThe University of Georgia opened Gemini and NotebookLM to every student and employee inside its Workspace.
University of Georgia Enterprise Information Technology ServicesUniversity central ITUniversity of Georgia
Organization-wide. All students and employees. Announced April 29, 2025, available June 1.
University of Georgia EITS, published Apr 29, 2025Read the write-up (opens University of Georgia EITS in a new tab)
Observation
The University of Georgia opened Gemini and NotebookLM to every student and employee inside its Workspace.
Takeaway
Give staff concrete first tasks when you switch Gemini on campus-wide.
What happened
UGA opened Gemini and NotebookLM to every student and employee inside its Google Workspace from June 1, 2025, where it says data stays out of model training, and suggests uses such as drafting onboarding FAQs and practice quiz questions.
Public organization write-up (university IT news)
No usage figures
Deployment details
Organization-wide. All students and employees. Announced April 29, 2025, available June 1.
Public organization write-up (university IT news)
No usage figures
Team
All students and employees
Duration
From June 1, 2025
Workload
Drafting FAQs and quiz questions
Product version
Gemini and NotebookLM in Google Workspace

Reported by others4

EquifaxJun 24, 2025Google Workspace blogEquifax tested Gemini for six months, and nearly every trial user wanted to stay on it before the company-wide rollout.
JK KrugVice President of Digital Employee ExperienceEquifax
Organization-wide. Six-month trial with more than 1,500 participants, then nearly 22,000 employees and contractors.
Google Workspace blog, published Jun 24, 2025Read the write-up (opens Google Workspace blog in a new tab)
Observation
Equifax tested Gemini for six months, and nearly every trial user wanted to stay on it before the company-wide rollout.
Takeaway
Run a long trial with a measurement plan agreed in advance, and use the trial's results to decide training topics for the full rollout.
What happened
Equifax picked Gemini after a security bake-off, because it inherits the existing Workspace security settings and keeps prompts and data in the tenant. It ran a six-month trial with more than 1,500 participants and a waitlist of over 300, using a framework for audience selection, surveys, and measurement. After the trial, 97% asked to keep their licenses, 90% reported more and better work, and people in nearly every business unit saved over an hour a day. Phase two rolls Gemini out to nearly 22,000 employees and contractors with training on prompting and team-specific use cases.
Vendor customer story
Trial survey results reported by Equifax
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Six-month trial with more than 1,500 participants, then nearly 22,000 employees and contractors.
Vendor customer story
Trial survey results reported by Equifax
Team
Trial participants from nearly every business unit, then the whole company
Duration
Six-month trial
Workload
Help desk data analysis, Meet notes and action items, drafting in Workspace apps
Product version
Google Workspace with Gemini
Measurement
Trial survey: license retention requests, self-reported quality, time saved per day
DocusignMar 25, 2026Google Workspace blogDocusign moved to Workspace first, then used NotebookLM on its own documents to speed up performance reviews.
Shivi Singh VermaSenior Manager, Engineering (Cloud Apps)Docusign
Organization-wide. Switched from Office 365 to Google Workspace. Gemini and NotebookLM.
Google Workspace blog, published Mar 25, 2026Read the write-up (opens Google Workspace blog in a new tab)
Observation
Docusign moved to Workspace first, then used NotebookLM on its own documents to speed up performance reviews.
Takeaway
Put company knowledge in one store before adding AI, and check answers against reference responses you write yourself.
What happened
Docusign moved from Office 365 to Google Workspace, with Drive as its central store, and then adopted Gemini in the apps people already used. Its implementation team trained the company on prompting, and a Forms survey found 80% of participants reported a positive effect on their work and 67% saved one to four hours a week. NotebookLM, built on Docusign's own documents, cut performance review preparation time by 90% and backs support chat for new policies. The team scores answers against a list of gold-standard responses to improve prompts.
Vendor customer story
Survey and task-time figures reported by Docusign
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Switched from Office 365 to Google Workspace. Gemini and NotebookLM.
Vendor customer story
Survey and task-time figures reported by Docusign
Team
Docusign's global workforce
Workload
Performance review preparation, policy support chat, everyday drafting and analysis
Product version
Google Workspace with Gemini and NotebookLM
Measurement
Employee survey; review preparation time
MERGEAug 19, 2025Google Workspace blogAt MERGE, a 200-user pilot made Gemini the most-used Workspace app before a company-wide rollout.
Kyle SmithCTOMERGE
Organization-wide. Health and wellness marketing agency. 200-user pilot, then all staff.
Google Workspace blog, published Aug 19, 2025Read the write-up (opens Google Workspace blog in a new tab)
Observation
At MERGE, a 200-user pilot made Gemini the most-used Workspace app before a company-wide rollout.
Takeaway
Run a time-boxed pilot with a usage target and a client-facing metric, and widen the rollout when Gemini's inclusion in your Workspace plan removes the seat cost.
What happened
MERGE started Google Workspace with Gemini as a three-month, 200-user pilot. Smith reports 89% sustained usage over the pilot, with Gemini overtaking Docs and Sheets as the most-used Workspace app. Client turnaround times got 33% faster, and common uses included meeting summaries, job descriptions, and creative briefs. Once Gemini was included in Workspace licensing, MERGE rolled it out to the whole company.
Vendor customer story
Usage and turnaround figures reported by Google and MERGE
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Health and wellness marketing agency. 200-user pilot, then all staff.
Vendor customer story
Usage and turnaround figures reported by Google and MERGE
Team
200-user pilot, then the whole company
Duration
Three-month pilot
Workload
Meeting summaries, strategy documents, creative briefs, job descriptions
Product version
Google Workspace with Gemini
Measurement
Sustained usage rate in the pilot; client turnaround time
Steve JanuarioAug 28, 2025OpsinBill.com's AI rollouts across Gemini, Glean and Copilot surfaced misconfigured access rights and sensitive onboarding files.
Steve JanuarioCIOBill.com
Organization-wide. Fintech company. Phased rollouts and pilots, described in an August 28, 2025 webcast recap.
Opsin, published Aug 28, 2025Read the report (opens Opsin in a new tab)
Observation
Bill.com's AI rollouts across Gemini, Glean and Copilot surfaced misconfigured access rights and sensitive onboarding files.
Takeaway
Audit sharing and access rights before any AI search tool goes live; Bill.com found the problems through the rollout.
What happened
Bill.com adopted Gemini, Glean and Copilot early, in phased rollouts and pilots with safeguards. Januario describes how the AI search tools unearthed misconfigured access rights, open Jira boards and onboarding documents with sensitive data, which the company had to fix as the tools went live.
Second-hand news report (Opsin blog, from a webcast with Bill.com's CIO)
Recap by an AI data-security vendor
Deployment details
Organization-wide. Fintech company. Phased rollouts and pilots, described in an August 28, 2025 webcast recap.
Second-hand news report (Opsin blog, from a webcast with Bill.com's CIO)
Recap by an AI data-security vendor
Workload
AI search across company content
Product version
Gemini beside Glean and Microsoft Copilot

Left it or turned it down1

Stanford approves the Gemini app for high-risk data and declined to turn Gemini on inside Gmail and Docs.

Run it beside another tool3

Brex offers Gemini beside ChatGPT and Claude and lets each employee choose.

Rippling's product chief uses Gemini beside ChatGPT to phrase ideas he has already written.

Tiny's co-founder keeps Gemini for very large inputs, beside Claude for writing and ChatGPT.

Evaluated it1

Oxford's 240-person Gemini Pro pilot preceded advance registration for £170-plus-VAT annual licences, with provision expected in January 2026.

Adopted it5

N26 runs Gemini across its work and its product chief singles out meeting notes for people who miss the meeting.

Minnesota offers Google AI Pro for US$228 per user a year, with prioritized access over the included Gemini tier.

Texas A&M runs Gemini campus-wide for FERPA data and bars health and sensitive personal records.

With 13,000 people on free ChatGPT accounts, Minnesota rolled Gemini out to everyone under its Google licence.

The University of Georgia opened Gemini and NotebookLM to every student and employee inside its Workspace.

Reported by others4

Equifax tested Gemini for six months, and nearly every trial user wanted to stay on it before the company-wide rollout.

Docusign moved to Workspace first, then used NotebookLM on its own documents to speed up performance reviews.

At MERGE, a 200-user pilot made Gemini the most-used Workspace app before a company-wide rollout.

Bill.com's AI rollouts across Gemini, Glean and Copilot surfaced misconfigured access rights and sensitive onboarding files.