There’s now a way to talk to Google’s NotebookLM AI podcast hosts

Google’s NotebookLM and its Audio Overviews feature have emerged as unexpected successes this year, and now, the company is rolling out a significant update: the ability to interact directly with the AI “hosts” of these overviews. This new functionality will enable users to engage in conversations with the AI, bringing a more dynamic element to the Audio Overviews.

Once the feature is accessible, users can explore it alongside the updated Audio Overviews. Talking to the AI within NotebookLM could serve as a helpful tool to dive deeper into the information you’ve gathered within the app. However, Google advises that this is still an “experimental feature,” so responses may sometimes include pauses or occasional inaccuracies, making it less than flawless during its initial phase.

In addition to the conversational Audio Overviews, NotebookLM is getting a revamped interface that divides functionality into three main sections. The “sources” panel organizes your collected data, the “chat” panel allows interactions with an AI chatbot to discuss these sources, and the “studio” panel lets you create content such as Study Guides and Audio Overviews. The new layout looks intuitive and user-friendly.

Google has also unveiled a subscription tier for the service, called NotebookLM Plus. Subscribers will gain access to enhanced features like five times more Audio Overviews, expanded storage for notebooks and sources, the ability to customize response styles and tones, shared team notebooks, and added privacy and security options. The subscription is targeted at businesses, educational institutions, and enterprise customers, with availability beginning today. By early 2025, it will also be part of the Google One AI Premium package.

On top of these updates, Google is introducing “Agentspace,” a platform designed for custom AI solutions tailored to enterprise needs. Agentspace can assist in conversations, answer detailed queries, provide proactive suggestions, and perform tasks using a company’s unique data. It integrates seamlessly with tools like Microsoft SharePoint, Jira, and ServiceNow.