By Justin Pot
Publication Date: 2026-08-08 10:00:00
Have you noticed how desperate tech companies are to get you to use their artificial intelligence features, even if you don’t want to use them? They’re adding buttons to user interfaces and using pop-up tool tips to implore you to click them and become a dedicated user of their AI creations.
Google Docs, for example, is rolling out a giant Gemini bar at the bottom of the screen for some users. I first noticed this feature back in April, when it showed up in the Google Docs account I use to collaborate with editors. Apparently I was part of the pool of users chosen to test the feature. I know people who have never seen this box, and I’ve seen reports of it showing up for people in the last few weeks. So it varies.
If you’re one of the users who sees this feature and you don’t want it on your screen, good news: The giant bar is easy enough to hide.
Click Gemini in the menu bar, then hover over Bottom bar preferences and select Turn off.
Courtesy of Justin Pot
Do that and the bar is…
