Google doesn't have a single "AI" product you can delete, but you can turn off the AI features built into Google services you already use
When people ask how to delete Google AI, they usually mean one of three things: turning off AI-powered search features like Google's AI Overviews, removing AI chatbot access (Gemini), or deleting the data Google uses to train its AI systems. None of these require deleting your Google account. Each one is a separate setting you control.
Google builds AI into Search, Gmail, Photos, Workspace, and other products. You can disable these features individually without losing the services themselves. You can also request that Google not use your data to improve its AI models, though this doesn't delete data already collected.
Key Takeaways
- AI Overviews (the AI-generated summaries in Google Search) can be turned off in Search settings, and you can also opt out of having your search history used for AI training.
- Gemini, Google's chatbot, is a separate product you can choose not to use; turning it off doesn't affect Search or Gmail.
- Google Photos uses AI for features like Magic Eraser and face grouping, which you can disable in Photos settings without deleting your photos.
- You can request that Google not use your activity data to train AI, but this is different from deleting data already collected.
- Deleting your Google account is the only way to remove all your data from Google's systems, but it also removes access to Gmail, Drive, Photos, and other services.
Turn off AI Overviews in Google Search
AI Overviews are the AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of some Google Search results. They're on by default for most users. To turn them off, open Google Search on any device, click the Settings icon (gear symbol) at the bottom right of the page, then click "Search settings." Scroll down to find "AI Overviews" and toggle it off. This change applies to all your searches on that device and account.
If you want to keep AI Overviews but prevent Google from using your search history to train AI, that's a separate setting. Go to myactivity.google.com, click "Web & App Activity" on the left, then click the three-dot menu and select "Auto-delete." You can set it to delete activity older than 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months. This doesn't turn off AI Overviews — it just limits how long Google keeps the data it could use for training.
Disable Gemini and remove chatbot access
Gemini is Google's AI chatbot, separate from Search. If you don't want to use it, you don't have to. On Android phones, open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then "Gemini," and toggle it off. On iPhone, open the Google app, tap the Gemini icon at the bottom, then tap your profile picture and turn off "Show Gemini." On a computer, you can straightforward not visit gemini.google.com.
Turning off Gemini doesn't affect Google Search, Gmail, or any other Google service. It only removes the chatbot from your phone's quick access. If you've had conversations with Gemini, you can delete them by opening Gemini, tapping the three-dot menu next to a conversation, and selecting "Delete." To delete all Gemini conversations at once, go to myactivity.google.com, click "Gemini activity," and use the delete options there.
Turn off AI features in Google Photos
Google Photos uses AI for features like Magic Eraser (removes unwanted objects from photos), face grouping (organizes photos by person), and search by description. These are on by default. To turn them off, open Google Photos, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then "Google Photos settings," and scroll to "AI features." You can toggle off individual features like "Face grouping" or "Magic Eraser." Turning these off doesn't delete your photos — it only disables the AI tools that work on them.
If you want to delete photos you've already backed up to Google Photos, open the app, select the photos, and tap the trash icon. Photos in trash are permanently deleted after 60 days. This is separate from disabling AI features.
Control AI use in Gmail and Workspace
Gmail uses AI for features like Smart Reply (suggested responses), Smart Compose (suggested text as you type), and spam filtering. Smart Reply and Smart Compose are on by default. To turn them off, open Gmail, click the Settings gear icon, go to "See all settings," then the "Advanced" tab, and toggle off "Smart Compose" and "Smart Reply." Spam filtering can't be turned off entirely, but you can adjust how aggressive it is in the same settings area.
If you use Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) for work, your administrator may have already disabled these features. Check with them before changing settings, as they may override your personal choices. You can see what's enabled by going to your Workspace settings and looking under "AI features."
Request that Google not use your data for AI training
Google uses data from your account to improve its AI models, unless you opt out. To request this, go to myactivity.google.com, click the three-dot menu, select "Settings," then look for "AI training" or "Improve Google services." The exact location varies depending on your account type and region. You may see an option to "Pause" or "Turn off" the use of your activity for AI training. This doesn't delete data Google already has — it only stops future data from being used that way.
Be aware that this setting may not explore to all Google services. Some features, like spam detection in Gmail, use machine learning regardless of this setting because they're necessary for the service to work. Opting out of AI training mainly affects optional features like Search improvements and product recommendations.
Delete your Google account if you want everything removed
The only way to remove all your data from Google's systems is to delete your Google account entirely. This removes your Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube history, and all other Google services. To do this, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy" on the left, scroll to "Your data & privacy options," and click "Delete your Google Account and data." Google will ask you to confirm and may require you to read your data first.
Before you delete your account, read a copy of your data if you want to keep it. Go to takeout.google.com, select which services you want to read (Gmail, Drive, Photos, etc.), and Google will create a file you can save. After you delete your account, you have a short window (usually 20 days) to change your mind. After that, the account and all associated data are permanently deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off AI Overviews delete my search history?
No. Turning off AI Overviews only stops Google from showing you AI-generated summaries in search results. Your search history is still saved to your account. To delete search history, go to myactivity.google.com and use the delete options there. You can delete individual searches or set activity to auto-delete after a certain time period.
If I turn off Gemini, will Google still use my data for AI training?
Yes. Turning off Gemini only removes the chatbot from your phone. Google still uses your activity data (searches, emails, photos) to train and improve its AI models unless you separately opt out in your privacy settings. These are two different controls.
Can I delete photos from Google Photos without losing them from my phone?
It depends on how they got there. If you backed up photos from your phone to Google Photos, deleting them from Google Photos doesn't delete them from your phone — they stay in your phone's camera roll. If you only have them in Google Photos and not on your phone, deleting them removes them completely. Check your phone's Photos or Gallery app to see what's stored locally.
What happens to my Gmail if I turn off Smart Reply?
Nothing. Turning off Smart Reply only removes the suggested responses that appear when you're composing an email. You can still send and receive emails normally. The feature is purely optional.
Does opting out of AI training stop Google from seeing my emails and searches?
No. Opting out only stops Google from using your data to train its AI models. Google still reads your emails and searches to provide services like spam filtering, search results, and targeted ads. If you want Google to stop processing your data entirely, you would need to delete your account.