Google’s AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM, is getting a significant upgrade that transforms how it interacts with your information. The platform is rolling out three new formats for its NotebookLM Audio Overviews feature, moving beyond a simple summary and turning your notes into a bite-sized brief, a thoughtful debate, or even an expert critique. This update makes NotebookLM an even more powerful assistant for studying, writing, and understanding complex topics.
For anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by a pile of research documents, the ability to listen to an AI-generated discussion about your own material is a game-changer. This update pushes the boundaries of what is artificial intelligence, turning a passive note-taking app into an active learning partner.
This article breaks down the new formats, explains how they work, and explores the practical use cases for this innovative feature.
Beyond the Podcast: Meet the New Audio Formats
Until now, the default “Audio Overview” format was called “Deep Dive,” a conversational podcast-style dialogue where two AI hosts would unpack your topic. Now, Google is adding three powerful new options.
As announced on the official NotebookLM account on X, the new formats are:
Rolling out NEW audio overview formats:
(Default) Deep Dive: a thorough examination of your sources
Brief: 1-2 minute, bite-sized overviews
Critique: an expert review, offering constructive feedback on your material
Debate: a thoughtful debate between two hosts pic.twitter.com/m3z3yASMyF
— NotebookLM (@NotebookLM) September 2, 2025
- Brief: A very short (1-2 minute) audio summary designed to give you the core ideas of your source material quickly. Perfect for a quick refresher before a meeting or class.
- Critique: An AI-powered expert review of your sources. The AI analyzes your material and offers constructive feedback, helping you identify weaknesses in your arguments or areas for improvement in your writing.
- Debate: A thoughtful debate between two AI hosts who take on different perspectives based on your source material. This is an incredible tool for exploring the nuances of a topic and understanding counter-arguments.
Users can access these new formats by tapping the pencil icon in the Audio Overview card within the NotebookLM app on Android and iOS.
A Truly Global and Multimodal Tool
This update is part of a broader push to make NotebookLM more powerful and accessible globally. Just last week, the platform significantly improved its non-English Audio Overviews in over 80 languages, making them more comprehensive and detailed. The company also recently expanded its “Video Overviews” feature to these languages.
By combining audio, video, and text analysis, NotebookLM is solidifying its position as a leading all-in-one AI research assistant. It’s a powerful piece of PC & Software that can synthesize information from a variety of sources, including Google Docs, PDFs, text files, and even Google Slides.
How You Can Use These New Features
The practical applications for these new formats are vast:
- Students: Can use the “Debate” format to prepare for an exam by hearing two sides of an argument. The “Critique” feature can help them improve an essay before submitting it.
- Professionals: Can use the “Brief” format to get a quick summary of a long report before a presentation.
- Writers & Researchers: Can use the “Critique” to find holes in their research and the “Debate” to explore alternative viewpoints and strengthen their thesis.
This update shows a clear vision for the future of AI tools: moving beyond simple information retrieval and becoming true partners in the thinking and creation process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is NotebookLM?
NotebookLM is a free AI-powered research and writing assistant from Google. It allows you to upload your own documents (like PDFs, Google Docs, etc.) and then use an AI model that is grounded in your specific source material to ask questions, summarize, and generate ideas.
2. How do I get the new Audio Overview formats?
The new “Brief,” “Critique,” and “Debate” formats are rolling out now to the NotebookLM app on Android and iOS. You can access them by tapping the pencil icon on the Audio Overview card.
3. Is NotebookLM available in my language?
NotebookLM has recently upgraded its Audio and Video Overviews to be more comprehensive in over 80 languages, making the tool more accessible and useful for global users.
4. Is my data in NotebookLM private?
According to Google, your source documents in NotebookLM are not used to train their AI models. The AI is “grounded” in your documents, meaning its answers are based only on the information you provide.