- NotebookLM now supports YouTube video summaries, audio files like .mp3 and .wav, and sharable AI-generated audio discussions via public URLs.
- NotebookLM has expanded its user base, with 50% of users now being business professionals.
Google has introduced significant updates to its AI-powered note-taking tool, NotebookLM, enhancing its capabilities with new features aimed at broadening its appeal to a more diverse user base. These updates include the ability to generate summaries of YouTube videos and audio files, as well as share AI-generated audio discussions, positioning NotebookLM as a versatile tool for both educators and business professionals.
Initially launched as a project at Google’s I/O developer conference last year, NotebookLM has grown in popularity, expanding to over 200 countries, including key markets like the U.S., India, and Japan. Raiza Martin, a senior product manager at Google Labs, revealed that 50% of NotebookLM’s users are now business professionals, stating,
"We see a lot of documents that are not in Japanese, but NotebookLM is set to Japanese,"
Martin noted, pointing out the tool's language versatility.
"People are now sharing notebooks, and it’s creating a network effect."
The latest updates introduce support for audio file formats such as .mp3 and .wav, alongside existing document types like Google Docs, PDFs, and web pages. This allows users to upload YouTube videos or audio recordings from meetings and projects to receive concise summaries and insights. Additionally, the new Audio Overview feature enables users to create sharable audio discussions via public URLs, further expanding NotebookLM’s collaborative potential.
Despite its growing popularity, the tool is not without challenges. There are concerns that AI-generated summaries may lead to an oversimplification of complex content. To address this, NotebookLM includes clickable citations from uploaded materials, encouraging users to review original content.
Looking ahead, Google plans to roll out more features, focusing on expanding input and output capabilities. Mobile apps for NotebookLM are also expected to launch next year, making the tool even more accessible for users on the go.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
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