Google’s viral AI podcast generator just got more customizable, so I put it to the test

NotebookLM, Google’s experimental AI-first pocket book and analysis assistant, has gone viral for its Audio Overview function, which transforms a person’s materials right into a podcast. The function simply got an upgrade to fine-tune the expertise, and I put it to the take a look at. 

Additionally: Google’s AI podcast tool transforms your text into stunningly lifelike audio – for free

The brand new options permit customers to shortly instruct the 2 AI podcast hosts on the subjects they need them to debate. For instance, in the event you add a big doc, you possibly can instruct AI Overviews to make the podcast give attention to just one part as a substitute of the complete factor. 

To check out the expertise, after I signed in, I began a brand new pocket book and uploaded a PDF of my best AI image generator roundup for ZDNET. I’ve been curating the listing for over two years and making it as complete as attainable, so it is a huge doc. 

Then, I dropped the PDF into the “Add sources to get began” field and instantly found the supplies AI may generate, together with a FAQ, Examine Information, Desk of Contents, Timeline, Briefing Doc, and Audio Overview. 

Additionally: I’m a ChatGPT power user – and this new feature instantly made me more productive

In Audio Overview, there at the moment are two choices: Customise and Generate. To check its potential to zero in on a subject, I clicked on “Customise”, the place I may enter particular directions. Google provides you solutions for the kind of customization prompts you possibly can embrace, similar to “Deal with a particular supply”, “Deal with a particular matter”, and “Goal a particular viewers”. 

I typed, “Are you able to give attention to one of the best picture generator total?” Inside minutes, it generated a seven-minute podcast episode the place each AI hosts chatted via my finest pics for AI turbines, summarizing all my factors and suggesting why every generator obtained one of the best decide. You may pay attention to 2 of these minutes beneath: 

An important half is that the instrument caught to the directions, solely speaking about one of the best AI picture turbines and ignoring all the opposite info within the articles, such because the FAQs, which give extra background information and fewer details about the precise choices. I can see this focus being helpful in the event you add a giant file with all of your class notes or a prolonged analysis paper and wish to use the AI Overview to focus on a particular part. 

Additionally: NASA has a problem, and it’s offering up to $3 million if you have a solution

As a bonus, Google has added background listening to the platform, permitting customers to hearken to Audio Overviews whereas persevering with to work inside NotebookLM. 

The instrument is free and straightforward to make use of if you wish to strive any of those options. Go to the NotebookLM website, sign up to your Google account, and comply with the steps above. 

Companies all for utilizing the instrument with superior enterprise measures can apply for early entry to the NotebookLM Enterprise pilot program.