NotebookLM is a standout example of Google’s generative AI technology. It lets you dive into your documents and notes using the Gemini AI model. Last year, Google introduced a feature that generates "audio overviews" of your source material in NotebookLM. Now, they’ve taken it a step further by testing these AI podcasts in search results. Instead of sifting through links or reading summaries, you can listen to a conversation between two fictional characters sharing what the search results indicate.
Currently, this feature isn’t widely available; it’s in the Google Search Labs. To try it out, you’ll need to manually opt in. If you do, you’ll find the audio player embedded in your Google search results. However, it’s not at the very top; it appears after the usual search results and the "People also ask" section.
Once you activate this feature, you can click a button to generate audio summaries. In just a few seconds, you’ll hear a dialogue between AI voices that summarizes the search results. The audio player will also show you the sources used for the overview, and you can adjust the playback speed to suit your preference.
To put the rise of this feature into context, consider that a recent survey from Pew Research indicated that about 33% of people prefer audio content over written text. This trend suggests that more users might welcome audio overviews as a convenient way to absorb information.
In addition, experts in media and tech argue that audio content is becoming increasingly important in our digital landscape. With platforms like Spotify and podcasts on the rise, Google’s move to integrate audio summaries makes sense in fitting user habits.
As this technology evolves, it reflects a shift in how we consume information. Instead of just reading, we’re moving toward listening, making it easier to multitask and absorb knowledge on the go.