NotebookLM: everything you need to know about this powerful Google tool that’s creating a buzz

© presse-citron.net

In addition to Gemini, which is its competitor to ChatGPT, Google has many other projects related to generative artificial intelligence. And among the products in development that have recently attracted media attention, there is NotebookLM. Initially called Project Tailwind, it was renamed NotebookLM in July. And since then, Google has continued to expand public access to this tool. In addition, NotebookLM has recently made headlines in many media outlets, due to its many possible uses, as well as its embedded artificial intelligence.

An AI that analyzes documents for you

In short, NotebookLM is a note application. However, thanks to the integration of Gemini AI, it also embeds powerful AI-based functions. Google introduced NotebookLM as a research assistant, but it can be used by anyone to synthesize lessons, prepare a report, or simply learn new things with the help of artificial intelligence.

How it works ? The NotebookLM user just needs to provide sources to the AI, such as articles, PDF documents, YouTube videos, audio recordings, or images. Then, the NotebookLM AI will record and understand all this information. And this will allow the user to ask Gemini to create summaries, tables of contents, or ask questions whose answers will be based on the documents provided as a source. Basically, it’s as if you had developed a personalized version of Gemini whose answers will be based on the documents you sent it.

A concrete example

To give you a more concrete idea of ​​the usefulness of NotebookLM, here is a concrete example. I used three articles from Presse-citron.net as sources: a Pixel 9 review, a Pixel 9 Pro Fold review, and a recent article on Google Pixel smartphone shipments in Q3. I also added a video from 01net that compares the Pixel 9 series models. From this information, NotebookLM generated a summary. And I have the ability to ask questions related to the Pixel 9 series to its artificial intelligence. Otherwise, it also suggests questions to start a discussion, like “What is the main difference between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the other models in the Pixel 9 series ?” or “What makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold more attractive than the Pixel 9 Pro XL ?”.

You can use different formats for the source, like links, text, YouTube videos, PDFs, audio, etc. © presse- citron.net

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

The answers are provided almost instantly, but Google still warns that you should always check the information provided by its AI. However, these checks are not difficult to do, since the answers provided by NotebookLM include references, like on Wikipedia articles, which allow you to compare the information provided by the AI ​​with the source information that was used to generate the answer. sentence or paragraph.

The answers include references to the sources that generated the sentence or paragraph. To verify information against the source, simply click on the circled numbers at the end of the sentences. © presse-citron.net

“Think of it as a virtual research assistant that can summarize facts, explain complex ideas, and brainstorm new connections, all based on the sources you select”, Google explained in July. In the example below, I simulated using NotebookLM to learn everything about Google’s new smartphones. However, the AI ​​in this application can be used to analyze pages of PDF documents, complex data, or even a series of graphs. In essence, the potential uses seem almost limitless.

As a bonus, NotebookLM is able to generate podcasts

In September, Google added a new ultra-handy feature to NotebookLM: the ability to automatically generate an “audio preview” from the content of the sources. What the name of this feature doesn’t indicate is that these audio previews are presented in a podcast format. For example, from the sources I provided about the Pixel 9 Pro series, NotebookLM generated a 9-minute audio file that simulates an interview in which an expert answers a journalist's questions about Google's smartphones.

In other words, NotebookLM also allows Internet users to automatically generate podcasts on the topics that interest them, and from sources that they consider relevant. The tool has created a buzz in the tech press thanks to this feature. But for the moment, it is still only available in English. And recently, Google has also improved this feature, by allowing the user to personalize the content of the audio previews. Using text, the user can give instructions to the generator, as if they were giving instructions to the host of a podcast to guide the discussion.

A version for businesses is coming

In announcing this new feature, Google also states that NotebookLM is already used by millions of people. Furthermore, since October, Google no longer considers NotebookLM an “experimental” product. In addition, Google is preparing the launch of a “Business” version of NotebookLM that will be integrated into its Workspace suite and will target businesses, organizations and universities. Indeed, there is a significant demand from this target, since NotebookLM, in its current form, is already used by more than 80,000 organizations.

📍 To not miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

160.8M reviews