Google's stunning AI podcast tool gets new features that make it even better

Google launched NotebookLM as an AI-first notebook and research assistant to help users make sense of all their notes, material, and more. The experimental offerings’ biggest standout feature has been its AI Overviews, which use artificial intelligence (AI) to transform text into a human-like audio podcast. Now, it is getting some handy upgrades. 

Listen here: Google’s AI podcast tool transforms your text into stunningly lifelike audio – for free

On Thursday, Google announced two new features of Audio Overviews: Guide the Conversation and Background Listening. These features further integrate the podcast-generating experience into NotebookLM, creating a more seamless and helpful user experience. 

Guide the Conversation

Guide the Conversation allows users to provide Audio Overviews with further instruction and direction before generating a “Deep Dive” Audio Overview that specifies exactly what you’d like the podcast to address. For example, you can now direct it to focus on specific topics from the materials input or adjust the expertise level of the conversation. 

This may be useful if you are uploading a big file with all of your class notes but would rather use the AI Overview on a specific section or lesson for a quiz or assignment. It can also help if the topic you are uploading is very dense and you would prefer a more boiled-down version that is easier to comprehend.

Background Listening 

Even though AI Audio Overviews has been its most popular feature, NotebookLM has many other helpful features, such as an interactive chatbot experience through which you can get AI-generated answers in regards to your tailored notes with detailed footnotes citing where the answers were pulled from. 

Also: Google’s AI tool turns YouTube videos into podcasts – here’s how to try it yourself

Other features include AI-generated Study Guides, FAQs, briefing docs, and more. It also functions as a digital notebook to help you organize your notes. Now Google has also introduced “Background Listening,” which enables users to listen to Audio Overviews while continuing to work within NotebookLM.

NotebookLM Business

Lastly, Google introduced NotebookLM Business, a paid version with features that businesses, universities, and other organizations might need, such as enhanced data privacy. 

Also: How to get more out of Google’s free AI voice assistant

This plan will be available in a NotebookLM Business pilot program, which businesses can apply for early access to “product features, training, and email support,” according to Google. The pilot program remains free, but it will be paid once the plan rolls out. Until then, Google Workspace administrators can enable NotebookLM for their organization for free. 

How to access NotebookLM

Accessing NotebookLM is free and easy. All you have to do is visit the NotebookLM website, sign into your Google account, create a new notebook, input some source material, and in the guide option at the bottom right corner, tap ‘generate’ for the automatic generation of your Overview. If you want to customize, you can click on “customize.”