Google Docs can now automatically generate suggestions to help document writers in creating content summaries. The feature leverages a machine learning model that comprehends document text and, when confident, generates a 1-2 sentence natural language description of the document content. The document author maintains full control of the content and can make necessary changes to capture the gist of the document. Readers can also use this section, along with the outline, to understand and navigate the document at a high level. While all users can add summaries, auto-generated suggestions are currently only available to Google Workspace business customers.
The recent developments in NLU and NLG can be applied to continue assisting users with reading and writing. Google hopes the automatic suggestions now offered in Google Workspace makes it easier for writers to annotate their documents with summaries, and help readers comprehend and navigate documents more easily.