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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.
How to generate a podcast with NotebookLM
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETHead to the NotebookLM website with your favorite browser. Yes, you can even use Firefox, Edge, or another non-Chrome browser.
Click the button to try NotebookLM, sign in with your Google account if you're not already logged in, and then click the Create new button.
You're prompted to upload your source files. For this, you're able to upload PDFs, text files, markdown files, and audio files such as MP3s and WAVs. You can also grab the content from different sources, including your computer, Google Drive, and pasted text.
Either drag and drop the files you wish to use or choose the source and select the files to include. You can add as few as one file and as many as 50.
The names of the uploaded files appear on the left sidebar. To add more information, click the plus icon and select additional source files.
By default, all the files are checked and will be included in the summary. Uncheck any files that you don't want to incorporate. After you've lined up your source files, NotebookLM automatically generates a text summary of the uploaded files. When you're ready for the podcast version, click the Generate button. In some cases, you may have to select Notebook guide at the bottom and then click Generate.
Depending on how much source material you uploaded, creating the podcasts will take anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. You can always busy yourself with other work (or play) while the audio is being generated. Once it's ready, you'll see a Play button with a slider and a number indicating the length of the audio. Click the Play button to start listening, and the podcast kicks off.
By moving the button on the slider, you're able to move forward or backward throughout the podcast. You can also pause it and then resume it.
At this point, you may want to name your notebook if you haven't already done so. Click the box that says Untitled notebook and replace that with the name of your choice.
Do you like the podcast or think it could be better? Either way, you're able to rate the podcast by clicking the thumbs up or thumbs down icon just above the slider. If you opt for a thumbs down, you're asked to provide a reason for your negative response.
If you think other people will like the podcast, you can share it publicly. Click the Share icon and then turn on the switch for Public access. Preview the podcast to see and hear how other people would access it. To proceed, click the button for Copy share link and you now have a URL to send to anyone who might like to listen to the audio.
Next, you're able to change the speed of the podcast. Click the three-dot icon and move to the option for Change playback speed. Select 0.5x or 0.8x to slow down the podcast. Select 1.0x to play it at its normal speed. And select 1.2x, 1.5x, 1.8x, or 2.0x to increase the speed.
You can save the podcast from the same menu. Choose Download and you're prompted to save the podcast as a WAV file, letting you listen to it via any media player such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, or VLC Media Player.
In the Customize Audio Overview window, add your directions to customize the focus of the podcast. Follow the steps listed in the window to specify exactly what you'd like to hear. When done, click Generate.
Play the podcast to see if the AI followed your instructions. If not, you can always try again and rewrite your directions to better express your wishes.
To return to the main NotebookLM screen, click NotebookLM at the top left of the screen. You'll then find all the podcasts you've generated. Click a specific podcast to load and play it. Click the three-dot icon and you can change the title or delete the podcast entirely.
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