Google’s NotebookLM is being enhanced with new features aimed at improving user interaction with the artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Among the most significant updates is the introduction of Mind Maps, which generate visual flow charts depicting the relationships among various concepts found in the content. This feature enables users to better understand the connections between ideas. Additionally, the tech giant now provides the option to modify the output language of the AI chatbot, allowing responses to be viewed in a user’s preferred language. Recently, these advancements were included in the premium version of the platform associated with the Google One AI Premium subscription.
Google NotebookLM Introduces Mind Maps
In a recent update shared on X (formerly Twitter), Steven Johnson, the Editorial Director of NotebookLM and Google Labs, revealed that the Mind Maps feature is now being rolled out to all users. Earlier this month, it was initially available only to those with Google Workspace accounts. Johnson noted that creating a Mind Map takes approximately 20 seconds.
Mind Map in NotebookLM
Photo Credit: Google
Staff members at Gadgets 360 have also gained access to this feature. After users incorporate one or more sources into a sheet on NotebookLM, they will find an option to create Mind Maps in the Studio section on the right margin of the page. A new purple map icon at the bottom allows users to generate Mind Maps based on the selected sources.
Upon generating a Mind Map, a full-screen pop-up interface displays the flow chart of interconnected concepts derived from the sources. The branch-style map organizes similar concepts and links relevant ideas together, with zoom functionality available for detailed viewing.
Users can click on any concept within the Mind Map, which minimizes the pop-up window and sends a query to the AI chatbot for further elaboration. This response provides additional insight, complete with citations from the original sources.
In addition to Mind Maps, the NotebookLM is also introducing an output language selector, accessible via the settings menu in the top right corner. This feature enables users to specify the language for all generated text within the platform.
Once a language is chosen, study guides, briefing documents, and chat responses will be provided in that language, regardless of the language of the original sources and prompts. However, it is important to note that AI Overviews currently only support English and are not available in the selected language.
While the Mind Maps feature is now widely accessible, the language output selector remains limited to Google Workspace users utilizing the Google One AI Premium subscription and enterprise clients.
