The article is rather confusing. A better way to understand what Gmail does is to look at Gmail settings (under General). Here they are:

> [x] Turn on smart features and personalization - Gmail, Chat, and Meet may use my email, chat, and video content to personalize my experience and provide smart features. If I opt out, such features will be turned off.

> [x] Turn on smart features and personalization in other Google products - Google may use my email, chat, and video content to personalize my experience and provide smart features. If I opt out, such features will be turned off.

There are two 'learn more' links that go to the same place:

> The control covers smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet that may use your data to improve the models that power smart features, including [list omitted, emphasis added].

> Smart features in other Google products that may use your Gmail, Chat, and Meet data include: [another long list omitted]

This could be a bit clearer about what happens if you have 'said no.' If the reporter had actually gotten someone to clarify that, it would be helpful. As it is, they've added no value over just quoting what it says.