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| PLATFORMS: Web Android iOS |
Google Gemini is an AI-powered chatbot designed to simulate human conversations using natural language processing and machine learning. Texas A&M campus members have access to Gemini with enterprise-grade data protection when logged in with their @tamu.edu account. This more secure version ensures that university data shared with Google Gemini will not be used to train or improve any generative AI models.
Gemini is multimodal — it can process text, code, audio, images, and video. Unlike NotebookLM (which is grounded in your uploaded documents), Gemini draws from Google’s broad knowledge base, the web, and your prompts to provide answers, generate content, and assist with tasks.
What can Gemini do?
- Generate text, such as articles, emails, letters, code, scripts, and creative content
- Translate languages
- Summarize long documents, email threads, and web pages
- Answer questions in a conversational, context-aware way with follow-up support
- Analyze and describe images, audio, and video
- Generate and edit images
- Conduct Deep Research — multi-step reports with citations on any topic
- Create Audio Overviews (podcast-style summaries)
- Build with Canvas — an interactive workspace for quizzes, code, and visual content
- Use Gems — custom AI experts you can personalize for any topic or workflow
Who can use Gemini?
Texas A&M students, faculty, staff, and retirees who have activated their Texas A&M Google Workspace account can use Gemini with data protection. To learn more about activating your account, visit Google Apps at Texas A&M.
How do I log in?
Go to https://gemini.google.com and log in with your @tamu.edu email address and password. A shield icon will appear in the prompt field when you are logged in, indicating your data is protected. Gemini is also available on the Android and iOS mobile apps.
Important: Personal Google accounts use the consumer version of Gemini, which does not have enterprise data protections. Always use your @tamu.edu account when working with University data.
How does Gemini protect my data?
When you log in with your @tamu.edu email address, you receive enterprise-grade data protections:
- Your submissions are not used to train AI models and are never reviewed by humans
- Your interactions stay within our organization
- Critical data cannot be used in Gemini according to our restrictions of use
If you have questions about using an AI/ML platform with University data, contact security@tamu.edu.
Tier Comparison
Gemini is free to use for all TAMU users with an activated Google Workspace account. The Gemini app is a core service included in all Google Workspace for Education editions with enterprise-grade data protection. Two paid upgrade tiers are also available through our Google Workspace for Education agreement, each including higher Gemini limits, expanded model access, and full Gemini integration across Workspace apps.
Billing note: Paid tiers are priced per user, per month but are billed annually (no monthly option). If purchased after the start of the fiscal year (September 1), the cost is prorated for the remaining months through August 31.
| Feature |
Education Plus (Free) |
+ AI Pro — $20/mo |
+ AI Ultra — $220/mo |
| Models & Access |
| Thinking with 3 Pro |
100 prompts / day |
100 prompts / day (priority) |
Highest access |
| Fast (2.5 Flash) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Context window |
32K tokens |
1M tokens |
1M+ tokens |
| Deep Think mode |
— |
— |
✓ |
| Gemini App Features |
| Deep Research |
5 / month (Fast model) |
20 / day (Thinking with 3 Pro) |
200 / day |
| Audio Overviews / day |
20 |
20 |
200 |
| Image generation (Nano Banana) |
100 / day |
1,000 / day |
Highest limits |
| Image generation (Nano Banana Pro) |
3 / day |
100 / day |
Highest limits |
| Video generation (Veo 3.1 Fast) |
— |
3 / day |
5 / day |
| Slide generation / day |
20 |
20 |
Highest limits |
| Canvas, Gems, Workspace app connections |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Scheduled actions |
— |
Up to 10 active |
Up to 10 active |
| Connect to GitHub & upload code folders |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Gemini in Workspace Apps |
| Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, Drive, Forms |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Meet (AI notes, live translated captions) |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Google Vids |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Workspace usage limit (per month) |
— |
1,000 uses |
Highest limits |
| Security & Data Protection |
| Enterprise data protection (not used for training) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| AI-enhanced Data Loss Prevention |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Availability |
| How to get it |
Included with TAMU Google account |
Software Store |
Contact Technology Services |
💡 How to check your current tier
Go to gemini.google.com and look for a Pro or Ultra badge near your profile image. A shield icon in the prompt field confirms enterprise data protection is active. If no badge appears, you are on the standard (free) tier.
💡 About Gemini App limits
Gemini App limits may change without notice based on capacity. Limits for Education Plus users may be reduced before Google AI Pro users, who have priority access. When you reach the Thinking with 3 Pro limit, you can continue chatting with the Fast model. Limits reset daily unless otherwise noted.
Can I delete my Gemini chats?
You cannot manually delete individual chats. Chat history is managed by your organization’s administrator, who can configure auto-deletion after 3, 18, or 36 months, or turn history off entirely. By default, conversation history is saved for 18 months.
What is the difference between Gemini and NotebookLM?
| |
Gemini |
NotebookLM |
| Best for |
Broad tasks, web access, creative ideas, quick answers |
In-depth work with your uploaded documents |
| Knowledge source |
Web + general knowledge + your prompts |
Only your uploaded sources (grounded, with inline citations) |
| Outputs |
Text, images, video, code, Workspace app integration |
Summaries, reports, audio/video overviews, quizzes, flashcards, slide decks |
| Workspace integration |
Side panel in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet (with AI Pro/Ultra) |
Standalone — no Workspace integration |
Read our NotebookLM FAQ to learn more about NotebookLM.
What is the difference between Gemini and Copilot?
| |
Google Gemini |
Microsoft Copilot |
| Type |
Browser-based generative AI chatbot |
Browser-based generative AI chatbot |
| Ecosystem |
Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) |
Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) |
| Best for |
Text, images, video generation, multimodal understanding, research |
Text, images, summarizing info, automating repetitive tasks |
| TAMU access |
Free with @tamu.edu Google account |
Free via Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat (work account) |
Best Practices
⛔ Do not use personal Google accounts for University data
Personal accounts use the consumer version of Gemini, which is not protected. Always sign in with your @tamu.edu email at gemini.google.com.
- Look for the shield icon. A shield in the Gemini prompt field confirms enterprise data protection is active. If you don’t see it, you may be signed in with a personal account.
- Be specific with your prompts. Gemini responds best to clear, detailed instructions. Provide context, specify the format you want, and ask follow-up questions to refine responses.
- Review AI-generated content carefully. Gemini does not cite sources the way NotebookLM does. Always verify facts, especially for research, academic work, or official communications.
- Don’t share restricted data. Some types of data are not allowed in Gemini, including export-controlled data, IRB-controlled data, government ID numbers, personal health and financial records, and sensitive personal information. Review the data restrictions policy before sharing data.
- Follow TAMU AI guidelines. Refer to the AI Guidelines and Ethics page for institutional guidance on responsible AI use.
- When handling confidential or sensitive University data, use only approved University cloud resources and storage.
- If you have questions about using an AI/ML platform with University data, contact security@tamu.edu.
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