Google has introduced a new feature to its NotebookLM platform called Video Overviews, which utilizes artificial intelligence to generate narrated slideshows. Currently available in English, the feature will soon extend its support to additional languages.
According to a blog announcement, “these serve as a visual counterpart to Audio Overviews, where the AI host generates new visuals to clarify concepts, incorporating images, diagrams, quotes, and statistics from your documents.” The new feature aims to facilitate explanations of data, showcase processes, and clarify abstract ideas. Google also mentioned plans to roll out “additional formats” in the future, with a demonstration video showing various playback controls, including options to skip backward or forward by ten seconds and to adjust playback speed.
Alongside the Video Overviews, updates have been made to the Studio tab of NotebookLM, where users can create various elements such as Audio and Video Overviews, study guides, and briefing papers. A notable enhancement allows users to “create and store multiple studio outputs of the same type within a single notebook,” enabling the creation of various Audio Overviews that reference material from the same source.
The Studio tab will also undergo a visual refresh, presenting users with four tiles at the top dedicated to generating Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, Mind Maps, and Reports. Google anticipates that the changes to the Studio will be rolled out to all users over the coming weeks.
