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Google’s latest update to Gemini’s Canvas, the free AI workspace, makes it an instant presentation builder. If you often find yourself rushing to pull together a slide deck, whether wasting time scouring for the perfect layout or editing grammar, you’re in luck. Gemini can now build a slide deck in seconds, complete with a theme, images, and text. Users are able to guide the chatbot by writing a few words describing their desired deck or uploading relevant research papers or spreadsheets. The app simplifies the entire process. Rather than grasping for ideas while staring at a blank slide or scrutinizing over formatting, users can ask Canvas to provide structured outlines and talking points they can then build on and develop. In that way, the app gives users time back to think more critically rather than fix small details. Once Gemini delivers the slide deck, users are free to edit it within the workspace or export it into Google Slides for final adjustments. Featured Video An Inc.com Featured Presentation Google first launched Canvas in March as a way to help users edit documents or code. After text is pasted into the app, Gemini provides suggestions depending on the user’s prompt. This newest feature joins Google’s recent slew of Gemini rollouts, including Gmail’s Gemini-powered scheduling tool, Gemini Enterprise for business workflow management, and the integration of Gemini into Chrome. First Impressions If you’re feeling skeptical, so was I. After testing out the new feature, I’m cautiously impressed. I typed into the chat, “Make a 3-slide presentation about how to maintain brand identity between your Outie and Innie (based on Severance). Add images and organized layout. Keep the text succinct in bullet points.” A few seconds later I was looking at a full slide deck, which felt exciting. One slide read, “Build Bridges. Let your ‘Innie’ (work) be informed by your ‘Outie’s’ passions, and vice versa.” Fair enough. Still, the third slide was only a list of image citations and the overall design theme felt dull. I went in for my first round of edits. I gave the chatbot a specific title and subhead, and asked it to tailor advice to founders. I also wanted a pop of color and one piece of advice per slide. It delivered on that feedback. The topic I proposed was a bit nonsensical from the beginning, and yet I’m taking away clear lessons from this AI chatbot. “Master one authentic story,” it said. “An unsevered founder lives the culture, they don’t just enforce it.” I wouldn’t feel comfortable presenting my deck without thoroughly reading through it first, but it seems that clearer, more specific directions could vastly improve the output content. Gemini’s Canvas is currently available for Google’s Pro subscribers and will be rolled out to free users in the coming weeks.
