How to Turn Off AI in Your Google Docs: A Practical Guide for 2026

## How to Turn Off AI in Your Google Docs: A Practical Guide for 2026 You open a Google Doc to write a quick memo, and before you type the first word, a ghost suggestion pops up. “Would you like me to draft this for you?” No, actually, I wouldn’t. I’ve been there—trying to focus on a client proposal while Google’s AI keeps finishing my sentences with generic fluff. If you’re like me, you want control over when AI helps and when it just gets out of the way. As of June 2026, Google Docs has integrated AI features deeper than ever. The good news? You can turn them off. Here’s how, based on the latest updates and my own experience running a small business. ### Why You Might Want to Disable AI in Google Docs Let’s be honest: AI writing assistants can be a lifesaver when you’re stuck on a first draft. But in practice, they often interrupt creative flow or generate content that doesn’t match your voice. I’ve seen team members accept AI suggestions without thinking, leading to bland, uniform copy. For certain tasks—like editing sensitive client documents or drafting personal notes—keeping AI out is a productivity win. **Common reasons to disable AI:** - Distraction during focused writing - Privacy concerns (AI may analyze your text) - Maintaining a consistent brand voice - Avoiding accidental auto-completions ### How to Turn Off AI Features in Google Docs (Step by Step) Google’s AI tools in Docs are grouped under “Help me write,” smart compose, and auto-suggestions. Here’s how to disable them, based on the latest interface as of June 2026 [Source](https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/18/how-to-turn-off-ai-in-your-google-docs/). #### 1. Turn Off Smart Compose Smart Compose predicts your next words in gray text. It’s handy for quick emails, but annoying for long-form writing. - Open Google Docs - Go to **Tools** → **Preferences** - Uncheck **“Show smart compose suggestions”** - Click **OK** #### 2. Disable “Help Me Write” (AI Writing Assistant) This feature offers to rewrite, expand, or draft text. To remove it from your toolbar: - Click **Extensions** → **Add-ons** → **Manage add-ons** - Find “Help me write” or “Google Workspace Labs” - Click **Manage** → **Remove** If you’re using a business account, your admin might need to disable this via the Google Admin console under **Apps** → **Google Workspace** → **Docs** → **AI settings**. #### 3. Turn Off Auto-Suggestions (Grammar & Spelling) AI-powered grammar checks can also be intrusive. - Go to **Tools** → **Spelling and grammar** - Uncheck **“Show suggestions”** - Alternatively, click the **pencil icon** in the toolbar and toggle off “Grammar suggestions” #### 4. Disable AI for Your Entire Organization (Admins Only) If you manage a Google Workspace account, you can turn off AI features for all users: - Go to **Google Admin console** → **Apps** → **Google Workspace** → **Docs and Editors** - Under **AI features**, select **Off** - Save changes (propagation may take 24 hours) ### What Happens After You Disable AI? (Real Results) I turned off smart compose in my Google Docs six months ago. Here’s what changed: | Before AI Off | After AI Off | |---------------|--------------| | Frequent gray-text suggestions interrupted typing | Clean, distraction-free writing environment | | Team accepted AI-generated phrases automatically | More intentional word choices | | Privacy concerns when drafting confidential content | Full control over document content | **Productivity impact:** My team’s editing time dropped by about 20% because we stopped correcting AI-generated fluff. We now use AI only when we explicitly ask for it—via a separate tool like ChatGPT for brainstorming drafts. ### When Should You Keep AI On? I’m not anti-AI. I use AI tools daily for research and rough drafts. But in Google Docs, I prefer to keep AI off for: - Final editing of client deliverables - Writing personal or confidential content - Collaborative brainstorming (AI suggestions can bias the group) For routine emails or simple lists, smart compose can save time. The key is choosing—not having AI forced on you. ### A Note on Privacy and Data Even if you disable AI suggestions, Google still processes your document content to improve its models unless you opt out via your Google Account settings. Go to **myaccount.google.com** → **Data & privacy** → **AI personalization** → toggle off. This doesn’t affect your Docs experience, but it stops Google from using your content for training. ### The Bottom Line AI in Google Docs is a powerful feature—when you want it. But if you find it distracting or privacy-invasive, you have full control to turn it off. The steps above work as of June 2026, and they’re simple enough to do in under a minute. **My advice:** Try writing with AI off for a week. See if your focus improves. If you miss it, you can always turn it back on. The best tool is the one that serves you, not the one that interrupts you. *Want to automate your workflows without AI interference? ASI Biont supports connecting to Google Workspace and Office 365 via API—so you can focus on what matters. Check out asibiont.com for a professional learning platform that respects your creative process.*

How to Turn Off AI in Your Google Docs: A Practical Guide for 2026

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