Google has kept Gemini Spark, its agentic AI assistant capable of background tasks across Gmail, Docs, and third-party apps, behind paid Google AI tiers since its May 2026 I/O launch. The feature expanded from Ultra-only to the $19.99 AI Pro plan in the US by late July, with further macOS and integration rollouts in June, but remains unavailable on the free tier or $4.99 AI Plus plan amid usage limits and model restrictions announced in early October. This pricing strategy reflects competitive positioning against other AI agents while prioritizing subscription revenue, with no verified plans or announcements indicating free access by year-end despite student Pro offers and regional expansions. Traders should watch for any Google One or Gemini app updates that could alter eligibility thresholds.