You can talk to the AI hosts of your NotebookLM podcast now

With so many new synthetic intelligence (AI) merchandise being launched every single day, it’s troublesome to create one thing that actually stands out, however Google’s NotebookLM has turn into a viral instrument. Its Audio Overviews characteristic, which generates a two-host podcast from any content material you have got, has been all of the rave — and it is getting even higher. 

On Friday, Google introduced a number of updates to NotebookLM, with the largest standout being the power to work together with the AI hosts in Audio Overviews. Beforehand, customers may solely hearken to a dynamic dialog between the hosts. Now, utilizing your voice, you’ll be able to converse to them, and, like a tutor, they’ll hear attentively and reply. 

For instance, you’ll be able to ask them to clarify sure ideas extra or otherwise, and they’re going to reply utilizing the sources you give them, for an much more customized studying expertise.

This characteristic is experimental and will not be accessible for previous Audio Overviews. To entry it, you have to to create a brand new Audio Overview, faucet the “Interactive mode (BETA)” button, and everytime you wish to interrupt whereas listening, simply faucet “be part of,” and the host will name on you to talk. 

Different updates to NotebookLM embody a brand new design supposed to make the expertise extra intuitive. NotebookLM is now divided into three areas: a “Sources” panel, the place customers can handle the knowledge they enter; a “Chat” panel, the place customers can focus on with the AI; and a “Studio” panel, the place customers can create new issues from their sources, such because the Audio Overviews. 

Google can be launching a subscription plan known as NotebookLM Plus. These customers get entry to 5 instances extra Audio Overviews, notebooks, and sources per pocket book. 

It seems to be like this plan notably caters to establishments that would profit from higher entry and better safety protections. A few of the different perks embody shared crew notebooks with utilization analytics and extra privateness and safety.

Based on Google, the subscription is on the market for companies, faculties and universities, organizations, and enterprise clients through Google Workspace beginning in the present day. Customers can buy it individually through Google Cloud with enterprise-grade knowledge safety. In early 2025, it can even be accessible for all customers within the Google One AI Premium plan.