In this post…
Finding NotebookLM
One of the articles published in early 2025 on MySansar had an AI-generated audio summary. The tone and the words it used amazed me. I tried to find out how it was created, but did not get answer. I asked ChatGPT what AI software could be used to get an audio podcast. It led me to applications like ElevenLabs, but I was not satisfied. One day, almost by an accident, I found an AI-generated English audio overview on YouTube. The comments led me to NotebookLM, a research assistant powered by Google Gemini. I added one of my stories and the first feature I used was Audio Overview.
Early Experiments
Unlike ChatGPT, which immediately starts answering on getting questions (prompts), NotebookLM is source-based. It allows uploading PDF, text file, Markdown, and audio file. In addition to these, it also allows files directly from Google Docs and Slides via a Google Drive link. You can also embed links to websites and YouTube videos as long as they are not behind paywalls. You can also type in or paste any text you want.
The first evening I discovered NotebookLM, I first uploaded my story Swatantrata Sangram via my phone and generated an audio overview. The story, as you know is in Nepali and NotebookLM generated an audio overview in Nepali. The way the tool interpreted the story was impressive, but it killed the mystery by presenting the summary in chronological order.
To generate another overview, I had to delete the first one. The second time I asked it to present the story as it appears, to analyse nuances, and to add Sandeept as the author. The summary it produced was even more impressive. I could not believe how accurately it analysed the meanings behind each scene. I downloaded the audio, which came as a WAV file. I changed the language to English and generated an audio once again. NotebookLM translated the text and presented another excellent audio summary.
I also looked up other features like summary and briefs during the time Audio Overview generated.
Studying Laws Using NotebookLM
Having seen what NotebookLM is capable of, an idea struck my mind, What if I uploaded a law or related laws, make it connect dots, and understand laws better?
I uploaded through the computer, Nepal’s Procurement Act and Regulation, which had been troubling me for long. As soon as it read the source material, I saw the Mind Map icon for the first time, and immediately clicked on it. The interactive Mind Map was something I was struggling to get while studying the Constitution on ChatGPT. One click on the branches gave the answers I needed. I also created summaries and briefs. And of course, the Audio Overview.
The audio summary helped me not only link the Act and the Regulation but also understand the procurement process in a concise manner. I could prepare a simplified 20-page note on A5 size paper, which I had been struggling for the last three years.
Also read:
Studying Plans and Policies
When I began preparing for PSC exams, 15th Plan was in effect. Given its volume and my inadequate time, I had never been able to study it fully. Since last year, 16th Plan is being implemented. Going through the Plan was still difficult due to my job and family responsibilities. I generated an audio summary using NotebookLM. It was good but inadequate.
So, I came up with a new idea. I prompted NotebookLM to generate audios for each chapter. To generate fourteen audios for fourteen chapters took some time. I used to generate one overview, download and delete it and begin another. The 15 to 22 minute-audio files, however, were rich with analyses and interpretations of text and data from the 16th Plan.
I also studied the Foreign Policy and the New Population Policy using the NotebookLM, although uploading one file was enough. NotebookLM also began producing longer audio overviews, which included detailed information on the given source.
The downloaded audio files and notes help me prepare well for my PSC exams, and I could write more confidently citing relevant plans and policies, although I think it was still not enough.
New Studio Features
After I wrote this blog, NotebookLM introduced Flashcards and Quiz, and recently, it added beta versions of Infographic and Slide Deck. Audio and Video overviews have also become more powerful. All of these can be modified according to your need.
Flashcards
You can use Flashcards focusing just on Part 3 (Fundamental rights) of the Constitution of Nepal to generate Q/A flashcards.
Infographics
You can generate infographics focusing on a specific topic.
Slide Deck
Slide deck can be used to produce PowerPoint slides based on the sources you have and topic you want to present. You can download the slides as a PDF.
Audio Overview
Audio Overview now has different customization options. Along with Deep Dive (the oldest feature), there are Brief, Critique and Debate. You can also choose the language and length you want.
Video Overview
Video Overview comes as Explainer or Brief. You can choose your language and visual style.
Long-lasting Chats
Chats in NotebookLM used to be ephemeral and got removed when refreshed or opened the next day. Now they stay unless you delete them. You can’t delete individual chats, so be cautious.
Some Caution
NotebookLM, like ChatGPT, comes with a warning that it can make mistakes. It now has ability to generate and keep more than one audio, video, infographics, and so on. The app has evolved since I used it for the first time about three months ago, and I am enjoying it even more. I hope I will be able to catch up with even more complicated concepts, books, and research using it.
