The presence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives is becoming increasingly unavoidable. Recent updates from major tech players like Apple now offer options to opt out of Apple Intelligence, while Google Workspace users are being bombarded with noticeable Gemini features throughout their applications. As leading technology firms enthusiastically promote a future dominated by generative AI, there are still measures one can take to mitigate its influence.

Google, in particular, stands out as one of the most aggressive advocates for AI integration across its services. This company has sought to incorporate its Gemini AI across nearly all its platforms, despite the technology often yielding misleading search results suggesting bizarre choices like eating rocks or putting glue on pizza. Even if you’re not interested in AI-generated search outcomes, you’ll still encounter aspects of Gemini in Gmail and other web applications by Google. If this ongoing integration frustrates you, there’s a solution: the Hide Gemini Chrome extension, which allows you to experience the web as if it were the pre-AI era of 2020.

The Hide Gemini extension effectively removes the Ask Gemini button from Gmail and employs CSS techniques to conceal other invasive Gemini components across various Google platforms, including the infamous AI Overview box. Once you’ve installed this tool, it begins to work right away. While concerns often arise regarding the impact of such extensions on service functionality—especially when blocking certain elements that might also restrict access to useful features—this particular extension does not have that downside. Since it relies solely on CSS to hide unwanted AI features, the core functionality of your services remains intact.

Keep in mind that this extension, like AI itself, is not a perfect fix. It specifically targets permanent AI features, such as the previously mentioned Ask Gemini button, but will not eliminate temporary promotional items. For example, users new to Gemini might encounter a Try Gemini button, which will not be hidden by this extension to maintain compatibility. Similarly, it won’t obstruct the “Help me write” prompt appearing in Google Docs while drafting documents. These few limitations are understandable, and the benefits of using Hide Gemini outweigh them, leading to a significantly less frustrating experience with Google products, as it doesn’t necessarily block AI entirely but rather renders it less visible.