Google is transforming its popular AI-powered research and note-taking assistant, NotebookLM, into more of a destination. The company announced Monday it would add a series of featured notebooks from various authors, publications, researchers, and nonprofits that allow NotebookLM users to explore a wide array of topics from health and life advice to travel tips and financial analysis, and more.
The initial collection, which includes notebooks from The Economist, The Atlantic, as well as professors, authors, and even Shakespeare’s works, is designed to offer users working examples of how NotebookLM can be used to delve deeper into subjects of interest.
NotebookLM users will be able to read the original source material, but also ask questions, explore topics, and get answers that include citations, according to Google. You can also listen to pre-generated Audio Overviews or browse the notebook’s main themes with the app’s Mind Maps feature.
The new addition to NotebookLM builds on the recently launched feature that allows users to publicly share their notebooks with others on the app. Since its debut last month, Google says more than 140,000 public notebooks have been shared. The company plans to expand its own collection of featured notebooks in the months ahead, which will include more collections from its partnership with The Economist and The Atlantic.
The featured collection of notebooks will roll out to NotebookLM on the desktop starting today.
Per Google’s descriptions, the initial lineup includes the following: