Google I/O is just around the corner, and if last year was any indication, the spotlight will be on AI integration across Google's services. Over recent years, nearly every Google app has incorporated AI features—from Photos and Docs to Gmail and Meet. That little sparkle icon signaling AI assistance has become almost unavoidable. Yet, some Google apps remain untouched or only lightly influenced by AI. These holdouts offer a refreshing simplicity that many users appreciate. Here are five Google apps that should stay as free from AI as possible.
5. Emoji Kitchen: Let Creativity Stay Human
Gboard stands out as the best virtual keyboard on Android, and its Emoji Kitchen feature is a big part of that appeal. Unlike Apple's Genmoji, which relies heavily on AI and often falls short, Emoji Kitchen thrives thanks to its artist-driven design. It transforms your text into fun, manually crafted stickers that add personality to conversations.
Injecting AI into Emoji Kitchen risks losing the charm and quality that come from human creativity. AI-generated emoji mashups like Genmoji have proven clunky and less appealing. Google should resist the urge to replace this with an AI-powered alternative. Sometimes, the manual touch is what makes a feature truly enjoyable.
4. Google Keep: The Simple, Reliable Notepad
Google Keep remains a straightforward tool for organizing to-do lists, reminders, and random thoughts. Its interface hasn't changed much over the years, which contributes to its reliability. While it offers minor AI assistance—like prompting list creation when you start a note—this is mostly unnecessary.
Keep isn’t the place for AI-generated content, replies, or complex writing tools. Those belong in apps like Docs. Instead, Keep should stay focused on quick note-taking and task management without AI complicating the experience.
3. Android Auto: AI Should Stay in the Passenger Seat
Android Auto already benefits from Google's voice assistant, and improvements there are welcome. But AI should not extend beyond voice commands. Features like AI-suggested rest stops, route cards, or dashboard clutter would distract drivers and defeat the purpose of a safe, simple driving interface.
If AI is introduced to Android Auto, it should be limited to pre-trip planning or voice interaction improvements. Drivers mostly need quick access to messaging, navigation, and media controls. Keeping AI focused on those essentials ensures safety and usability.
2. Google Wallet: Keep It Simple and Secure
Google Wallet has seen minimal AI involvement so far, mainly in categorizing passes. Beyond that, it functions as a straightforward mobile payment and ticket storage app. Adding AI-driven offers or financial advice could overcomplicate what should be a quick-access app.
Users want Wallet to be a dependable place for payment methods, rewards cards, and event tickets—not a chatbot managing finances or suggesting credit cards. Maintaining Wallet's simplicity is key to user trust and convenience.
1. Google Flights: Efficient Flight Booking Without AI Overload
For frequent travelers, Google Flights is the go-to tool for comparing prices, tracking trends, and managing itineraries. Its menu-driven interface is fast and intuitive, unlike some AI chatbots that can feel slow or cumbersome for flight searches.
While there's an option to enable AI-based itinerary building through Gemini, the core experience remains straightforward and menu-based. This is a good thing. Not every app benefits from AI chatbots; sometimes clear options and quick navigation are what users really want.
AI will continue to shape technology, but it doesn’t need to infiltrate every app. Some features thrive because they keep things simple, focusing on what users actually need. Google would do well to preserve the balance between innovation and usability by keeping these five apps free from unnecessary AI complexity.
Your membership also unlocks:
