Google's AI Edge Foresight is an experimental Mac app that takes meeting notes and answers questions from your own files, with the AI running on your computer. It pairs two Google models, EmbeddingGemma 2 and Gemma 4. This guide explains what it really does, how to set it up, and what to ask it.
What you need
A Mac. Google says the app is optimized for Apple Silicon. Google has not published a minimum macOS version or RAM figure.
The app: download the macOS installer from the official page, developers.google.com/edge/foresight.
Your files: project folders, PDFs, Google Docs, Microsoft Office files, plain text, Markdown files and web bookmarks are supported. You can point it at local folders and Google Drive.
No subscription. Google's launch post says there are no cloud subscription costs.
Step by step
Download and install Foresight from the official Google AI Edge page above. Don't use third-party download sites.
Build your knowledge base. Point the app at the folders you want it to know, such as a client folder, product specs and meeting notes. You can tag sources with your own labels and filter by category. Start with one or two folders so you can check the answers.
Ask questions about your files. Use plain language, like you'd ask a colleague. Some examples:
What did we agree with the supplier about packaging? Show the source file.Summarise the latest product spec for the blue model in 5 bullet points.Which client approvals are still pending? List the file where each is mentioned.What decisions did we make about pricing in the last three project notes?Foresight answers with a summary and points to the source, so you can open the file and check.
Use it in a meeting. Foresight listens to your Mac's microphone and system audio, so it works with Google Meet, Zoom or an in-person meeting. Type a few short bullets during the call, and it expands them into full notes using the live transcript.
Turn on live help. Its Live Assistance mode listens during a call and shows context cards with citations when a topic from your files comes up. For example, if someone asks about a past agreement, the relevant note can appear on your screen.
Ask about the meeting afterwards. You can view the transcript and chat with the Gemma 4-powered assistant about it:
List the action items from this meeting, with the owner and deadline for each.How it works, in plain words
EmbeddingGemma 2 is Google DeepMind's open model with 740 million parameters. It turns text, code, images, video frames and audio into numbers that sit in one shared "meaning space". That is why you can search by describing something instead of remembering the file name.
Gemma 4 reads what the search finds and writes the answer or summary.
Both run on your Mac. Google says no recordings, transcripts or files are sent to its cloud servers, and the app keeps working offline.
Good to know
It's experimental. Google calls it an "experimental Mac app". Expect bugs and changes. Don't make it your only record of important meetings yet.
Mac only. Foresight is a Mac app. Google hasn't announced a Windows or phone version.
It's mainly a meeting assistant. File search is part of it, but most coverage describes Foresight as a local alternative to meeting note-takers.
Check the answers. Small on-device models can miss things or get details wrong. Always open the cited source before you quote it to a client.
Language support is unclear. Google has not said how well transcription works in languages other than English. Test it with Hindi or Hinglish meetings before you rely on it.
Ask before you record. Tell people in the meeting that you are transcribing, and follow your company's rules and local law on recording.
Google Drive files still live in Drive. On-device processing protects what the AI does with your files. It doesn't change where your files are stored.
Sources
Google Developers Blog: Google AI Edge with EmbeddingGemma 2
iThinkDifferent: Foresight turns shorthand into full meeting notes
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