Google is deploying a new test that integrates AI-powered Audio Overviews on the front page of search results on mobile. The experiment that can be enabled in Labs will allow you to access AI-generated podcast discussions for some queries.
For example, you search for something like, “How do wireless headphones work?” Google will show a button beneath the “People also ask” section that asks to ‘Generate Audio Overview. After hitting the button, you will see an AI-generated podcast or audio overview of up to 40 seconds, as per Google. Let’s explore more about this.
Audio Overview- AI-generated Podcast?
The completed AI-generated podcast will appear in a small player integrated within the search results, where you can play, pause, mute, and even adjust the speed of the playback. Like Audio Overviews or AI-generated podcasts on NotebookLM and Gemini, this also features two AI-generated hosts who, interestingly, discuss the topic that you want to learn more about. Users can also find links to some of the sources used by the Audio Overviews directly under the playback option in Search.
Presently, Audio Overviews in Search are only accessible in English for the US. Google has just started making this AI-generated podcast available in more places as the tool rolled out last year. This allows the users to access AI-generated podcasts based on notes, Gemini’s deep research, Google Docs, and more.
How to Create an AI-generated Podcast in Gemini Apps?
You can create an AI-generated podcast from documents, slides, and Deep Research reports with Audio Overviews in Gemini Apps. For this, you need to follow these steps:
- Step 1: Visit gemini.google.com or open the Gemini mobile app
- Step 2: Click on ‘Add File + and choose the file you want to upload.
- Step 3: Click Generate Audio Overview
It will take 3-5 minutes to get an AI-generated podcast.
Why Does It Matter?
Think about how we get data or information today:
Podcasts on the go
Audiobooks while walking
Voice assistants give all answers
Google is bringing a mega shift since people look for flexible and accessible learning methods. Audio Overviews are really helpful in this case. It helps:
Auditory learners
Visually impaired users
Busy professionals seeking to stay updated
With this AI-generated podcast, search has become voice-driven and more like a podcast experience.
From NotebookLM to Google Search
The idea did not begin with Search. Google first introduced Audio Overviews in NotebookLM, an AI-powered note-taking tool. Then, it enabled users to convert academic files, legal briefs, and articles into custom podcast episodes with an AI assistant.
Later, they expand the feature to Gemini and now it is available in Search- most used subsidiary of Google.
This suggests a clear trend. Google is developing an ecosystem where AI content can be learned in different formats like text, chat and now audio.
Sources and Transparency
Are you worried about misinformation? Do not worry. Google addresses these issues by:/
- Every Audio Overview includes links to source pages
- Users can click to go deeper into any topic.
This helps in ensuring the transparency and offers users control to check the facts and reliability of the information.
Accessibility and Reach
An AI-generated podcast is beyond a tech update. Audio Overviews show a mega shift towards inclusive information consumption. It offers:
- Additional access to people with vision disabilities or reading problems
- Easy learning for individuals who process better through sound
- Improved multitasking for business professionals
Google follows the trend that is already popular in the content world in several ways.
What About Publishers?
Not everyone is profitable with this invention. A recent report by the Wall Street Journal disclosed that Google’s AI summaries are dramatically reducing traffic to the news publishers.
With Audio Overview, the impact is growing. Hence, bigger questions are emerging:
- Will users ignore clicking through to the source?
- Will publishers lose ad revenue?
- Will they be ignored because of AI-generated audio?
There are severe ethical and business considerations to be addressed by Google.
Future Outlook
AI-generated podcasts through Audio Overviews are short. However, it is simple to imagine a near future where:
- Users can line up different summaries, like podcast episodes
- Users can personalise voice types
- Google adds sentiment, tone, or emotion detection
- AI assistants are able to have a subtle conversation around a topic.
Therefore, Search would not be limited to typing but can expand to talking, hearing, and even feeling in the future.
Concluding Remarks
Audio Overviews by Google help with AI-generated podcasts. However, it is a small experiment by Google that may change everything in the near future. Since we are heading towards a world where AI speaks, listens, and personalises information flow, we should be worried about how we develop AI and consume what it generates. Hence, it is important to protect the value of the human-generated content.
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