Google’s NotebookLM will now let you turn notes into AI-generated audio
The app now supports Google Slides and web URLs in addition to traditional formats like Google Docs, PDFs, and text files.
Imagine your research coming to life as two AI hosts discuss, summarize, and even banter about the material you’ve uploaded. That’s the idea behind Google’s Audio Overview feature, now available in the NotebookLM app.
This experimental tool is expected to offer users the option to turn their documents into "lively" AI-generated audio discussions. Whether it’s summarizing notes, making connections between topics, or exploring takeaways from presentations, Audio Overview promises an alternative way to engage with research.
This feature is part of a broader update to NotebookLM, Google’s AI note-taking app, which launched last year and has since expanded to over 200 countries. The app now supports Google Slides and web URLs in addition to traditional formats like Google Docs, PDFs, and text files.
Powered by Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro AI model, NotebookLM aims to help users engage with complex information more dynamically. As Google continues to integrate AI across its products, this update reflects the company's growing focus on AI-driven tools to enhance productivity and user experience.
Henry Chikwem
To use Audio Overview, users can open a notebook, go to the Notebook guide, and select Generate. The AI hosts then discuss the material in a conversational format, drawing connections between topics. The generated audio can also be downloaded for offline listening, providing flexibility for users who might need to engage with content on the go.
But there are some limitations. The feature currently supports English only, and generating discussions for larger notebooks may take time. Google also notes that these AI-generated discussions are not designed to offer a comprehensive or fully objective view—they reflect the uploaded material, so accuracy may vary.
Despite being experimental, Audio Overview complements NotebookLM’s existing tools, which include AI-generated study guides and fact-checking features. Users can upload up to 50 sources per notebook, making it particularly useful for larger research projects.
Google emphasizes that privacy is a priority, assuring users that personal data will not be used to train the AI.
As Audio Overview evolves, user feedback will likely shape future improvements, such as support for additional languages and real-time interactivity. For now, it offers a flexible, experimental way to interact with research materials.
