NotebookLM Adds Featured Notebooks - The Economist & More

Google Evolves NotebookLM into a Centralized Resource

Google is repositioning its AI-driven research and note-taking tool, NotebookLM, to function more as a comprehensive destination for information. The company revealed on Monday the introduction of curated notebooks created by diverse sources. These include authors, publications, researchers, and nonprofit organizations.

This expansion allows NotebookLM users to investigate a broad spectrum of subjects. Topics range from health and lifestyle guidance to travel recommendations and detailed financial assessments.

Introducing Featured Notebooks

The initial compilation features notebooks from prominent sources like The Economist and The Atlantic. It also includes contributions from academics, authors, and even the complete works of William Shakespeare. This selection is intended to demonstrate the potential of NotebookLM for in-depth exploration of various interests.

Users of NotebookLM will have access to the original source materials. They will also be able to pose questions, investigate specific topics, and receive responses that include source citations, as stated by Google.

Enhanced Exploration Tools

Furthermore, users can utilize pre-generated Audio Overviews to listen to summaries. The app’s Mind Maps feature also allows for browsing the central themes within each notebook.

This new functionality complements the recently launched capability for users to publicly share their own notebooks within the application.

Growing Community and Content

Since its release last month, Google reports that over 140,000 public notebooks have been shared by users. The company intends to continually expand its collection of featured notebooks in the coming months.

Future additions will include further collaborations with The Economist and The Atlantic, enriching the available resources.

Availability and Initial Offerings

The featured notebook collection is being deployed to NotebookLM on desktop platforms starting today.

Google has outlined the initial lineup as follows:

• Longevity advice from Eric Topol, author of “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.”
• Analysis and predictions for 2025, based on The World Ahead annual report by The Economist.
• Life advice derived from Arthur C. Brooks’ “How to Build A Life” columns in The Atlantic.
• A guide to Yellowstone National Park, encompassing geological explanations and biodiversity information.
• An overview of long-term trends in human well-being, published by Our World In Data.
• Parenting advice grounded in psychological research, from Jacqueline Nesi’s Techno Sapiens Substack newsletter.
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, available for study and research.
• A notebook tracking Q1 earnings reports from the top 50 global public companies, designed for financial professionals.