Google's AI agent Spark keeps working even when your phone is locked

Google has launched Gemini Spark, a personal AI agent in the Gemini app. An agent is an AI program that doesn't just answer questions but carries out tasks on the user's behalf. According to Google, Spark works around the clock in the background.

Spark runs on virtual machines in Google's cloud. That means it can keep working even when the user closes their laptop or locks their phone. The agent is built on Gemini 3.5 and was unveiled at the I/O 2026 developer conference.

What can it do?

Spark is connected to Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Slides. According to Google, connecting these Workspace apps requires no setup. Google's examples of tasks include compiling travel itineraries from booking emails, finding and planning local events, reviewing invoices and warning about subscription price changes. It can also draft email replies and create style guides based on the user's past communication.

Google says users control whether Spark is activated and which apps it is connected to. According to the intermediary Börse-Express, each connected service requires the user's explicit permission, and Spark can have up to 15 tasks running at the same time.

Cheaper access and more countries

Spark was announced on May 30, 2026, and first became available to subscribers on the most expensive tier, Google AI Ultra, in the US. According to Börse-Express, access has now been extended to Google AI Pro, which costs $19.99 a month. The entry price for the agent thus drops from $99.99 to $19.99 a month. The AI Plus tier at $7.99 and the free tier do not include access.

According to the same article, the Ultra rollout is being expanded internationally, but the EU, the UK, Switzerland and Nigeria are left out. Other markets are to follow later. That means Danish users can't expect access for now. In Australia, Google has announced that Spark will roll out to Pro subscribers over the coming weeks.

The question of control

Google says Spark is designed to ask the user before taking actions with major consequences, such as spending money or sending emails.

However, according to a news brief, Forbes has cited an intro text stating that Spark can share the user's information or make purchases without asking. Forbes also assumes that the code reveals spending limits that Google has not disclosed. The sources do not make clear whether spending limits apply to Pro subscribers.