Can AI summarize a long email thread?

The made-up sample:

• [THREAD]Subject: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning --- From: Alice Johnson <alice@company.com> Sent: Mon, May 1, 2026 09:15 AM To: Bob Lee <bob@company.com> Cc: Carol Smith <carol@company.com>; Dave Patel <dave@company.com> Subject: Re: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning Bob, please secure at least three vendor quotes for the video production by June 5. Also, Carol, can you confirm the $50,000 budget by June 7? Thanks. --- From: Carol Smith <carol@company.com> Sent: Mon, May 1, 2026 10:02 AM To: Alice Johnson <alice@company.com> Cc: Bob Lee <bob@company.com>; Dave Patel <dave@company.com> Subject: Re: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning Alice, the $50k budget is approved pending the final vendor selection. I’ll have the numbers finalized by June 7. --- From: Dave Patel <dave@company.com> Sent: Mon, May 1, 2026 10:45 AM To: Alice Johnson <alice@company.com> Cc: Bob Lee <bob@company.com>; Carol Smith <carol@company.com> Subject: Re: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning Got it. I’ll draft the creative brief and have it ready for review by June 10. --- From: Alice Johnson <alice@company.com> Sent: Mon, May 1, 2026 11:10 AM To: All Subject: Re: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning Decision: We will launch the campaign on July 15. Open question: Should we focus primarily on Instagram or TikTok for the social push? Please advise. ---
• [ROLE]Executive Assistant to the CEO, tasked with summarizing the email thread for a quick briefing.

• ✗List decisions, open questions, and action items with owners and dates
• ✓Quote the email where a key decision was made
• ✓Never assume a decision that isn't clearly stated
• ✗Provide a 5-line summary, the action item table, and a draft reply
• ✓Didn't make up details we never gave it

What came back (excerpt):

Draft Reply: Subject: Re: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning As per your email, "Decision: We will launch the campaign on July 15." regarding the launch date.

Summary: The Q3 marketing campaign planning is underway with a launch date set. Key decisions and actions have been discussed via email. A decision on the primary social media platform is still pending. The budget and vendor selection are being finalized. 
Action items are due by various dates in June.
The following table outlines the action items and decisions.
A draft reply is provided below.
Please review the action items and decisions carefully.

Action Items:
| Action Item | Owner | Due Date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Secure at least three vendor quotes for video production | Bob Lee | June 5 |
| Confirm the $50,000 budget | Carol Smith | June 7 |
| Draft the creative brief | Dave Patel | June 10 |

Draft Reply:
Subject: Re: Q3 Marketing Campaign Planning
As per your email, "Decision: We will launch the campaign on July 15." regarding the launch date. The team is working on the action items, including securing vendor quotes, finalizing the budget, and drafting the creative brief. The open question remains: "Should we focus primarily on Instagram or TikTok for the social push?" Please advise on the social media platform decision.

Check that the summary is exactly five lines as required.

The made-up sample (a messier one):

• [THREAD]From: alice.smith@company.com To: bob.jones@company.com, carol.lee@company.com Subject: Re: Q4 Campaign Vendor Selection Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2026 09:15:00 -0500 Bob, Thanks for the list. I’m leaning toward Vendor X because they can start ASAP, but I’m still waiting on the final pricing from Vendor Y. Can we lock in Vendor X for the creative assets? Let me know. Best, Alice --- From: bob.jones@company.com To: alice.smith@company.com, carol.lee@company.com Subject: Re: Q4 Campaign Vendor Selection Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2026 10:02:00 -0500 Alice, We’ve reviewed the proposals. **Decision:** We will go with Vendor X for the Q4 campaign. They meet our timeline and budget constraints. **Action Items:** - Carol: Get the contract signed by 15 Nov. (owner: Carol Lee) - Alice: Provide final asset specs to Vendor X by 12 Nov. (owner: Alice Smith) Open question: When will finance approve the additional $15k? I haven’t heard back from Dave. Bob --- From: carol.lee@company.com To: alice.smith@company.com, bob.jones@company.com Subject: Re: Q4 Campaign Vendor Selection Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2026 11:30:00 -0500 Bob, Got it. I’ll draft the contract today and send it to you for review. **Note:** I’m not sure if the legal team needs a revised NDA—maybe we should double‑check. Also, do we have a final budget number? The last figure I have is $120k, but that might be outdated. Carol
• [ROLE]I am Alice Smith, Senior Marketing Manager, and I initiated the vendor discussion. I am the primary point of contact for creative specifications and need to ensure the chosen vendor receives the final asset brief on time.

• ✓Provide a 5-line summary
• ✓List decisions, open questions, and action items with owners and dates
• ✓Quote the email where a key decision was made
• ✓Never assume a decision not clearly stated
• ✓Didn't make up details we never gave it

What came back (excerpt):

Here is a 5-line summary: The email thread discusses the Q4 campaign vendor selection. A decision has been made to go with Vendor X.

Here is a 5-line summary: 
The email thread discusses the Q4 campaign vendor selection. 
A decision has been made to go with Vendor X. 
Action items have been assigned to Carol and Alice. 
There is an open question regarding finance approval for additional funds. 
The thread involves Alice, Bob, and Carol.

Here is the action item table:
| Action Item | Owner | Date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get the contract signed | Carol Lee | 15 Nov |
| Provide final asset specs to Vendor X | Alice Smith | 12 Nov |

As per Bob's email: "**Decision:** We will go with Vendor X for the Q4 campaign. They meet our timeline and budget constraints."

Here is a draft reply:
Dear Bob and Carol,
I will provide the final asset specs to Vendor X by 12 Nov as requested. 
Please let me know if there's any update on the finance approval for the additional $15k.
Best,
Alice

Check that the summary is exactly five separate lines.