Google NotebookLM now lets you chat with AI podcast hosts: Here’s how to use it

To use the new feature, open NotebookLM, create a new Audio Overview, tap on the new Interactive mode (BETA) button and hit play. When the AI hosts start talking, simply press the ‘Join’ button and one of the hosts will let you ask questions and answer them on your sources.

Google says the new feature is still in the experimental stage and only works with new Audio Overviews. Also, it should be noted that AI hosts may “pause awkwardly before responding and may occasionally introduce inaccuracies”

Used by millions worldwide, Google is also giving NotebookLM Gemini 2.0 Ftreatment and rolling out a new interface, which the company says makes it easier for users to switch between different activities in a single unified interface.

The new interface organises the NotebookLM into three panels named Sources, Chat and Studio. While the first two panels are self-explanatory, Google says the Studio panel lets users create new things from their sources like Study Guides, Briefing Docs and Audio Overviews with a single click.

The tech giant also introduced a new subscription plan called NotebookLM Plus, which offers perks like five times more Audio Overviews, notebooks and sources per notebook, the ability to customise the style and length of notebooks and even create shared notebooks.