In the World of AI: Week of 8 September 2026, Gemini Starts Working Across Google Workspace

Google has given Gemini the ability to work across Workspace apps, OpenAI has told users that custom GPTs are going away, and Nvidia has named Australian partners for a large AI data centre build-out. Here is the week from 9 to 15 September 2026, with one step for each story.

Gemini starts working across Google Workspace

In a post dated 9 September, Google said Gemini can now carry out multi-step work across Workspace apps. It can create Docs, Sheets or Slides in the background and save them to Drive, summarise folders or email threads with attribution, draft and send emails, find meeting times, and create to-do lists in Google Tasks. For anything that leaves the business, such as an email or a calendar commitment, Gemini shows a preview card so the user can review, edit and confirm first.

The feature is English-only at launch. Business Standard and Plus, Enterprise Standard and Plus, and Google AI Pro and Ultra are on the list of editions. Rollout began on 2 September for Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, and it can take up to 15 days to appear.

Why it matters: Staff will find a more capable assistant already sitting in their inbox. The preview card is the safety net, and it only works if people read it before they confirm.

This week: Tell your team that Gemini's drafts need a read before they send. Our guide on human review for AI output sets out a simple routine.

OpenAI retires custom GPTs

OpenAI announced on 11 September that it is retiring custom GPTs and moving their work to plugins, according to Virtualization Review. A plugin can bundle reusable instructions, an MCP server that exposes tools, or both. The article gives 11 December 2026 as the scheduled retirement date. Existing GPT conversations, the selected model and sharing settings do not carry over automatically, and custom actions may need rebuilding. OpenAI also warns that a migrated plugin may behave differently, so workflows should be retested. The article covers Enterprise workspaces in the most detail and does not set out the timeline for other plans.

Why it matters: If your team built a custom GPT for quoting, tone of voice or customer replies, it has a deadline.

This week: List every custom GPT your business uses and who owns it, so you know what needs moving.

Nvidia names Australian partners for AI data centres

In a press release dated 9 September, Nvidia said it is working with Firmus, Sharon AI, IREN, Megaport, ResetData, CDC, NEXTDC and AirTrunk to expand capacity for its AI factories. The target is a build-out of up to 2 gigawatts by 2027. The release is Nvidia's own statement and carries the usual forward-looking caveats, so it describes a goal and not capacity that exists today.

Why it matters: More AI computing inside Australia could make it easier for vendors to offer processing that stays onshore. That only helps if vendors say where your data goes.

This week: Ask the vendors behind your two most-used AI tools where your data is processed and stored, and record the answer.

Frontier AI companies talk about slowing down

CNBC and TechCrunch both reported on 15 September that OpenAI has been talking with Anthropic and Google about AI safety. CNBC says the talks followed Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's call for AI companies to slow the pace at which they improve their most advanced models. TechCrunch adds that The Information reported the three are working toward an industry standards body. No law or government agreement has put any of this into effect.

Why it matters: For now it is talk, and your tools will keep changing on the vendors' schedule. The sensible response is to avoid tying a process to one model.

This week: Write down which of your processes depend on a single AI vendor, and note what you would switch to if it changed.

Office 2021 support ends in a month

A Microsoft Partner Center post dated 15 September reminds partners that support for Office LTSC 2021, Project LTSC 2021 and Visio LTSC 2021 ends on 13 October 2026, after which they receive no updates or security fixes. It suggests Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Business Standard or Apps for business for organisations under 300 users, and adds that Microsoft 365 Copilot works only on cloud-backed apps in Microsoft 365 suites.

Why it matters: An owner with one machine on a perpetual Office licence has a security deadline and a ceiling on AI features.

This week: Check whether any computer in your business runs Office 2021 and decide whether to move it before 13 October.

What to do this week

• Tell staff to read Gemini's preview card before confirming an email or invite.
• List every custom GPT in use and who owns it.
• Ask your two main AI vendors where your data is processed.
• Note which processes depend on one AI vendor.
• Find any computer still running Office 2021.

Sources

• Google Workspace Updates, "Create content, schedule events, and coordinate tasks across Workspace regardless of what app you are in", 9 September 2026: workspaceupdates.googleblog.com
• Virtualization Review, "OpenAI to Retire Custom GPTs, Replace Them with Plugins", 28 September 2026, reporting an announcement made on 11 September: virtualizationreview.com
• NVIDIA, "NVIDIA Expands AI Infrastructure Capacity in Partnership With Australia's Data Center Ecosystem", 9 September 2026: investor.nvidia.com
• CNBC, "OpenAI, Google, Anthropic discussing collaboration on AI safety issues", 15 September 2026: cnbc.com
• TechCrunch, "OpenAI, Anthropic, Google have been in talks on AI safety for weeks", 15 September 2026: techcrunch.com
• Microsoft Learn, "September 2026 announcements - Partner Center announcements" (item dated 15 September 2026): learn.microsoft.com