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Google tests AI-powered Audio Overviews in Search

Google continues to add new AI features to Search. It is currently testing Audio Overviews.

About a year ago, Google added AI Overviews in Search results, and even integrated ads as part of the experience. Google's Circle to Search took this further with text interactions.

Now, Google is experimenting with AI-powered Audio Overviews. The name might sound familiar if you have used Gemini or NotebookLM. Did you know that Google Docs has Audio Overviews? The AI-feature in Search is similar to the others in is powered by Gemini, and the AI will use the context to generate audio like a podcast. Google says it "provides a hands-free way to absorb information whether you're multitasking or simply prefer an audio experience."  So, how does it work?

When you look something up on Google, the AI will determine if Audio Overviews might be useful. It will place a large button on the screen, which you can tap on to generate an Audio Overview related to the topic of your query, it takes about 40 seconds to prepare this overview. Google describes the feature as "a concise conversation generated with AI, providing a preview of information from the top search results in response to your query". That's a fancy way to say that overviews are AI-narrated summaries based on your search query.

The overviews appear in a small panel like a mini music player, you can pause/resume the playback, adjust the volume and playback speed. You can find links to related content directly beneath the player, should you wish to learn more about the topic.

Audio Overviews in Search are currently only available for mobile devices, it is unclear when Google will bring it for desktop. You will need to opt into this experiment in Labs to access the feature. The Verge reports that Audio Overviews are only available in English, and only for users located in the U.S.

Have you tried Audio Overviews in Gemini or NotebookLM?

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