Google's NotebookLM is a popular AI-based note-taking service that can collect documents, URLs, audio files, and other content for any type of research. After you submit your source files, the AI is able to analyze, summarize, discuss, and answer questions about them.
But one especially cool feature is the ability to take your source files and generate an audio overview in the form of a podcast. The audio features two AI-generated people conducting a natural conversation about the topic at hand. With pauses and uhs and ums and overlapping speech, the podcast sounds just like two real human hosts discussing the subject. ZDNET's David Gewirtz covered his experience with the tool in depth and you can check out his surprisingly lifelike AI podcast samples here.
Also: Google's AI podcast tool transforms your text into stunningly lifelike audio – for free
You can then use the podcast as part of a presentation or demonstration on your topic. Just be sure to tell your audience that it's AI-generated. You can also publicly share it. But even if you keep the podcast private, listening to it can be a helpful way to gain more insight and understanding into your subject. And instead of just reading the summaries and analyses generated by NotebookLM, hearing the podcast is a more interesting and entertaining way to soak up the material.
For now, the podcasts are available only in English. Since the feature is AI-generated and still in the experimental stage, you may find inaccuracies and audio glitches. But it's still amazing to see and hear how AI can create something that sounds so human. Now, here's how this all works.