Story
When I come back to a long thread or document, I want the short version first, with each point linked to where it came from, so I can catch up in a minute and still check the details.
Vikram, a site engineer in Chennai, catching up on a 40-message email thread on his phone at the site gate.
- 01 Setting
Vikram opens a 40-message thread about Thursday's concrete pour.
- 02 Trigger
He has 2 minutes before the site meeting.
- 03 Without it
He skims the last 5 messages and misses that the pour moved to Thursday.
- 04 With it
3 points sit on top: what changed, who did what, and what is still open.
- 05 Outcome
He checks 1 point at its source. Later a reply settles the open question, and the summary updates.
Live demo
This demo follows a script, so it plays the same every time - there is no real AI behind it. Change a setting to see the same moment play out differently.
What happens, step by step
| State | The person sees | The AI is | When | Screen reader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The thread opens with a grey placeholder where the summary will be. | Reads the thread. | 0-2 s | “Summarising 40 messages” |
| 2 | An "AI" label, 3 points with a link to their message, the open question in amber, and "From 40 messages · just now". | Idle. | when ready | “Summary ready” |
| 3 | Tapping a point opens its message, highlighted, with a way back. | Idle. | on tap | - |
| 4 | The summary, as it was. | Idle. | on tap | - |
| 5 | A new reply arrives. The changed point is highlighted and the card says "Updated · 1 new reply". | Reads the new reply. | when a reply arrives | “Summary updated” |
On each device
- phone
- A card at the top of the thread with 3 to 5 points. It can be collapsed, and stays collapsed for that thread.
- tablet
- As on the phone. In split view the card stays above the list of messages.
- desktop
- A Summarize button or a card above the first message. Each point can open its source without losing the summary.
When to use it
- The source is long and people need the short version before deciding to read it - threads, meetings, reports.
- People come back to something that changed while they were away.
- Several people need the same short picture - a handover, a stand-up.
- The source is short. A summary of 3 lines adds reading instead of saving it.
- Every word matters - a contract, a dose, a legal notice. Show the key passages as they are written.
- People asked a question and want the answer with its sources. Use Citations and sources instead.
The parts of the pattern
- AAI labelSays in words that the AI wrote this.
- BKey points3 to 5 facts: what changed, who does what. The most important first.
- CLink to sourceEach point opens the message it came from, so people can check.
- DStill openWhat is not decided yet, in amber. Summaries often hide this.
- EScope and time"From 40 messages · just now", and a way to read all of it.
Do and Avoid
Summary · AI
Pour moved to Thursday 7 am. › 31
Anil booked the pump. › 36
Summary · AI
The pour moved to Thursday 7 am because of rain. Anil booked the pump truck…
Pour moved to Thursday 7 am.
Still open: who signs off the rebar check?
The team discussed the pour date.
They also talked about sign-off.
Writing and accessibility
- Put what changed or was decided first, then who does what, then what is still open.
- Write the facts, not the talk: "Pour moved to Thursday 7 am", not "The team discussed the date".
- Say what was summarised and when: "From 40 messages · just now".
- Label it in words: "Summary · AI".
- Give the summary a heading ("Summary, made by AI") and put it before the thread in reading order.
- Name each source link by its target: "Message 31, from Priya".
- Announce "Summary updated" when it changes. Use the polite status region (the part of the page a screen reader reads out when it is next free). Do not move focus.
- Collapse is a real button that says if the summary is open or closed, and the choice is remembered.
Seen in real products
- GmailAndroid and iOS · May 2025On longer threads a Gemini summary card sits at the top of the email. It updates when new replies arrive, and people can collapse it. English only at launch.Google Workspace Updates, 29 May 2025 ↗
- GmailWeb · Nov 2026"Summarize this email" at the top of a thread gives the key points and replies. "Minimize" hides it.Gmail Help: AI Overview conversation summaries ↗
- Apple Writing ToolsmacOS · Nov 2026For selected text, "Summarize" or "Key Points" gives only the most important points.Mac User Guide: Use Writing Tools ↗
Each example comes from the product’s help pages, release notes or teardowns, with the month it was checked. Products change every month - tell us when 1 is out of date.
Check yourself
Seen this pattern done better, or a product that changed? Press Suggest next to any heading, or tell us about the whole page.