Using Google's Help Me Write Feature in Chrome for Google Workspace for Education

Google's Help Me Write is an AI-powered writing assistant available in Chrome Browser and Chromebook Plus. This tool assists users in generating and refining short-form content based on contextual prompts. Designed for efficiency, Help Me Write leverages generative AI to enhance user productivity while ensuring compliance with Google Workspace for Education policies.

Admins can configure this feature through the Google Admin console, where they can enforce policies, control AI model improvement settings, and ensure alignment with institutional policies, particularly for educational users.

What You'll Learn

In this article, we’ll cover the following for Help me write:

• Supported platforms and Google Workspace editions
• Configuration
• How it works
• Best practices

Supported Platforms and Editions

Help me write is supported on the ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus) and Chrome for Desktop platforms and is supported on the following Google Workspace for Education Editions:

• Education Fundamentals
• Education Standard
• Teaching & Learning Upgrade
• Education Plus
• Gemini Education
• Gemini Education Premium 

Configuration 

Administrators can manage Help Me Write and other generative AI settings via the Google Admin Console under:

• Devices > Chrome > Settings > User & browser settings > Generative AI
• Chrome browser > Settings > User & browser settings > Generative AI 

Admin Console Setting - Generative AI - Help me write

By default, Help me write is allowed without improving AI models for education accounts for users who are aged 18 and older. You can change this to a different AI Policy or not allow Help me write. 

Recommendation

We recommend setting the Generative AI setting for Help me write to Use the value specified in the Generative AI policy defaults setting for students in K-12 and higher education environments. For staff, we recommend you set this setting to Allow help me write without improving AI models.

1. Go to the Classroom Settings page.
2. Locate the Generative AI section.
3. Click on the Help me write setting.
4. Use the panel at the left to enable this setting at the Browser, User, Group, and OU levels.
5. From the configuration drop-down, select an option from the following:
   • Allow help me write and improve AI models
   • Allow help me write without improving AI models (default)
   • Do not use help me write
   • Use the value specified in the Generative AI Policy defaults setting (Recommended)
     
6. Click Save.

How to Use Help Me Write

Once enabled, users can access Help Me Write directly within Chrome when writing in supported text fields. The tool offers AI-generated suggestions based on user input and webpage context.

Steps for Users:

1. Open Chrome and navigate to a webpage where text input is required (e.g., a comment box or email draft).
2. Click inside the text field.
3. Look for the Help Me Write prompt that appears (if enabled by the admin) or right-click and select Help me write.
   
4. Enter a brief prompt or description of what you need assistance with.
5. Choose the writing help you want, Polish is selected by default, click Elaborate or Formalize if needed.
6. Click Create.
7. Review the generated text and edit as needed.
8. Click Refine to iterate on the text.
9. Insert the content into the field and continue with your work. 

Best Practices for Educational Institutions

For K-12 institutions, admins should consider the following best practices:

• Domain-Wide Enforcement: Apply settings at the domain level to ensure compliance.
• Restrict AI Model Training: Maintain the default without improving AI models setting for added privacy.
• Use Chrome Enterprise for Browsers: If managing non-Chromebook devices, ensure users are signed in to enforce policies.
• Train Educators on Effective Use: Provide guidance on when and how Help Me Write can enhance teaching and learning experiences.

By configuring Help Me Write appropriately, educational institutions can leverage AI-powered writing assistance while maintaining security and policy compliance. For more details, visit Chrome Enterprise Policies.