Dispute Among Hosts of Google Notebook's AI Podcast Now Possible Over User's Notes

Google is set to revolutionise the way users interact with their documents, as they introduce four new Audio Overview formats on September 2, 2025. This innovative update marks a significant step towards more flexible AI learning systems and interactive audio AI setups.

The new formats - Deep Dive, Brief, Critique, and Debate - offer a variety of options for users, allowing them to customise the tone, language, and length of their summaries. For those with visual impairments, reading challenges, or who simply prefer to process information through audio, these new formats are accessible and user-friendly.

The Deep Dive format provides a comprehensive and detailed summary of uploaded material, making complex documents easier to digest. The Brief format offers a quick summary, lasting no more than a couple of minutes, for those needing a quick overview. The Critique format offers constructive feedback on the uploaded material, particularly useful for those who have written the content themselves.

The Debate format, however, sets itself apart by requiring the AI to process not just facts, but logical refutations. In this format, two AI hosts engage in a debate, presenting opposing positions on something central to the uploaded data. This feature promises to make long documents as engaging as podcasts, potentially turning them into users' next favourite audio content.

Google's Research team is responsible for the development and implementation of these new audio summary formats. This update signifies the evolution of AI educational tools from static summarisers into dynamic assistants, providing more animated feedback and argumentative dialogues.

Users can change formats by tapping the pencil icon in the Audio Overview card and selecting their preferred style. Google is betting that people will appreciate this new way of engaging with their own documents, and the new Audio Overviews are expected to go global soon.

While the new Audio Overviews may encourage users to not think beyond what the AI suggests, potentially reducing critical thinking, they also offer the potential to make learning and understanding complex information more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.