Google has announced an update to its NotebookLM application, introducing a new artificial intelligence feature aimed at simplifying the process of sourcing information for various topics. Unveiled on Wednesday, the feature is called Discover Sources, which enables users to search the web for pertinent sources related to their interests. The company based in Mountain View revealed that this functionality harnesses the capabilities of its Gemini AI technology. This launch comes just a week after Google debuted the Mind Maps feature in NotebookLM.
Discover Sources: Powered by Gemini
In a recent blog post, Google elaborated on the capabilities of the new Discover Sources feature. Currently being rolled out to all NotebookLM users, this feature is not restricted to Plus subscribers. The tech giant emphasized that it allows users to explore and gain insights on topics even if they do not have prior documents or sources.
To access the Discover Sources option, users need to open a new notebook within NotebookLM and navigate to the Sources panel. This can be found next to the “Add Sources” button, represented by an icon featuring a magnifying glass alongside a Gemini sparkle. Clicking on this button opens a pop-up window that asks, “What are you interested in?” along with a text box for user input.
Users can enter a prompt regarding the topic they wish to learn more about. After submission, Gemini conducts a web search to identify high-quality sources related to that subject. The tool provides up to 10 sources, which users can add to their notebook manually.
According to Google, once sources are included in the notebook, users can utilize all standard NotebookLM features to work with that information, which includes creating Briefing Docs, FAQs, and Audio Overviews. The imported sources will remain accessible in the notebook, allowing users to review the original content and interact with the chatbot to pose further questions.
Additionally, new users have the option to click the “I’m Feeling Curious” button, prompting Gemini to compile sources on a randomly selected topic as a starting point. Google has noted that Discover Sources functions as a means of information discovery, enhancing the user experience.
