Steven Johnson is a really meta writer. He writes ceaselessly about science and know-how, and likes to immerse himself within the issues he’s masking, even utilizing them to vary the way in which he writes books. A few years in the past, just a few months earlier than ChatGPT launched and the AI increase took over the tech world, Johnson obtained {a magazine} task that despatched him actually, actually deep down the AI rabbit gap. And he by no means got here again up.
Now, along with writing books, Johnson can be working at Google. He’s a part of the staff constructing a product referred to as NotebookLM — “Pocket book,” because the staff calls it. It’s a note-taking and analysis software: you add paperwork and import net hyperlinks, and Pocket book’s Gemini-powered AI helps you set up issues, extract data, and perceive a topic higher. “They reached out,” Johnson says after I ask how he obtained concerned with Google, “and mentioned, ‘hey, you’ve been dreaming of this ultimate software program software that helps you set up your ideas and helps you write and helps you formulate connections and brainstorm. We expect we will do it now.” Johnson signed up, and has been at Google for the reason that summer time of 2022.
The product itself first launched in 2023 as Venture Tailwind, and has since been rebranded and expanded in large methods. Simply final week, the staff launched Audio Overviews, which generates a podcast — with two chatty hosts, loads of backwards and forwards, and a really exceptional penchant for the phrases “deep dive” and “buckle up” — based mostly on the knowledge you present. It’s fascinating, it’s sophisticated, and it’s getting higher actually quick.
On this episode of The Vergecast, Johnson joins to debate his fascination with AI, his time at Google, and the current and way forward for NotebookLM. We discuss in regards to the sophisticated points raised by a software like this, and whether or not it’s okay to let an AI do your analysis and homework.
We additionally speak about how to ensure a software like NotebookLM is each correct and simply fact-checked, why context home windows are extra necessary to the way forward for AI than most individuals notice, and the way usually AI podcast hosts ought to say “like” in dialog. And we speak about Johnson’s personal course of as a author and creator, and the way AI is altering the way in which he works.
If you wish to know extra on every thing we focus on on this episode, listed here are some hyperlinks to get you began:
