Since the launch of the “Audio Overviews” feature in Google’s NotebookLM research tool, I’ve taken the opportunity to explore its capabilities by inputting various types of text that I typically wouldn’t read, including user manuals, Wikipedia entries, and even my quarterly performance review.
This AI tool produces two distinct voices that engage in summarizing the documents I provide. Their delivery includes metaphors, puns, and casual dialogue, resulting in an experience akin to a typical podcast. Upon pressing play, users are treated to an engaging audio summary that mimics the structure of a well-crafted podcast episode.
After utilizing Audio Overviews several times throughout my week, I noticed that I was dedicating much less time to conventional podcasts produced by real people. As a podcast producer, this revelation was both intriguing and concerning. I find it difficult to overlook just how effective Audio Overviews is at organizing content into digestible segments, much like a traditional podcast. For instance, I created a podcast episode based on a Spanish paella recipe I stumbled upon online. The AI hosts even highlighted nuances in rice texture between paella and risotto, drawing connections that weren’t explicitly mentioned in the recipe itself. However, similar to any AI tool, caution is necessary regarding content accuracy, as it can generate incorrect information, or “hallucinations.” For example, when I uploaded notes from a story I was developing, the AI crafted fictional quotes from my sources that weren’t present in my original text.
What sets Audio Overviews apart in the realm of AI is its focus beyond mere efficiency. The hosts often engage in extended discussions before addressing key details, which mirrors the style of real podcasts. Simon Tokumine, the product director at NotebookLM, explained that this informal approach was intentionally designed. Initially, the product emphasized quickness and efficiency in delivering information, but feedback from external users shifted the team’s perspective.
“It was only when we started to actually share what we were building with others and get feedback from people who aren’t necessarily obsessed with making every second of their day as efficient as possible, but are more into leaning back and listening in and just kind of going with a wave of information, that we realized there were two different populations we were building for here,” Tokumine stated. “And the population we were building for was not necessarily Googlers.”
For a deeper look at my experiences with Audio Overviews, watch the full video where I discuss my journey testing the feature and my conversations with Simon Tokumine, Vulture podcast critic Nicholas Quah, and our podcast producers at Technology News.
Additionally, you can find an Audio Overview of that video included here.
