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How to create a podcast with AI in seconds: Easy, step-by-step instructions

Nov, 18, 2024 Hi-network.com
Chalermphol Liawsutee/Getty Images

Google's NotebookLM is a popular AI-based note-taking service that can collect documents, URLs, audio files, and other content for any type of research. After you submit your source files, the AI is able to analyze, summarize, discuss, and answer questions about them.

But one especially cool feature is the ability to take your source files and generate an audio overview in the form of a podcast. The audio features two AI-generated people conducting a natural conversation about the topic at hand. With pauses and uhs and ums and overlapping speech, the podcast sounds just like two real human hosts discussing the subject. 's David Gewirtz covered his experience with the tool in depth and you can check out his surprisingly lifelike AI podcast samples here. 

Also: Google's AI podcast tool transforms your text into stunningly lifelike audio - for free

You can then use the podcast as part of a presentation or demonstration on your topic. Just be sure to tell your audience that it's AI-generated. You can also publicly share it. But even if you keep the podcast private, listening to it can be a helpful way to gain more insight and understanding into your subject. And instead of just reading the summaries and analyses generated by NotebookLM, hearing the podcast is a more interesting and entertaining way to soak up the material.

For now, the podcasts are available only in English. Since the feature is AI-generated and still in the experimental stage, you may find inaccuracies and audio glitches. But it's still amazing to see and hear how AI can create something that sounds so human. Now, here's how this all works.

How to generate a podcast with NotebookLM

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

1. Browse to the NotebookLM website

Head to the NotebookLM website with your favorite browser. Yes, you can even use Firefox, Edge, or another non-Chrome browser. 

Click the button to try NotebookLM, sign in with your Google account if you're not already logged in, and then click the Create new button.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

2. Upload your source files

You're prompted to upload your source files. For this, you're able to upload PDFs, text files, markdown files, and audio files such as MP3s and WAVs. You can also grab the content from different sources, including your computer, Google Drive, and pasted text. 

Either drag and drop the files you wish to use or choose the source and select the files to include. You can add as few as one file and as many as 50.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

3. Review your source files

The names of the uploaded files appear on the left sidebar. To add more information, click the plus icon and select additional source files.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

4. Generate the podcast

By default, all the files are checked and will be included in the summary. Uncheck any files that you don't want to incorporate. After you've lined up your source files, NotebookLM automatically generates a text summary of the uploaded files. When you're ready for the podcast version, click the Generate button. In some cases, you may have to select Notebook guide at the bottom and then click Generate.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

5. Play the podcast

Depending on how much source material you uploaded, creating the podcasts will take anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. You can always busy yourself with other work (or play) while the audio is being generated. Once it's ready, you'll see a Play button with a slider and a number indicating the length of the audio. Click the Play button to start listening, and the podcast kicks off.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

6. Control the podcast

By moving the button on the slider, you're able to move forward or backward throughout the podcast. You can also pause it and then resume it.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

7. Name the notebook

At this point, you may want to name your notebook if you haven't already done so. Click the box that says Untitled notebook and replace that with the name of your choice.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

8. Rate the podcast

Do you like the podcast or think it could be better? Either way, you're able to rate the podcast by clicking the thumbs up or thumbs down icon just above the slider. If you opt for a thumbs down, you're asked to provide a reason for your negative response.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

9. Share the podcast

If you think other people will like the podcast, you can share it publicly. Click the Share icon and then turn on the switch for Public access. Preview the podcast to see and hear how other people would access it. To proceed, click the button for Copy share link and you now have a URL to send to anyone who might like to listen to the audio.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

10. Switch the speed

Next, you're able to change the speed of the podcast. Click the three-dot icon and move to the option for Change playback speed. Select 0.5x or 0.8x to slow down the podcast. Select 1.0x to play it at its normal speed. And select 1.2x, 1.5x, 1.8x, or 2.0x to increase the speed.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

11. Download the podcast

You can save the podcast from the same menu. Choose Download and you're prompted to save the podcast as a WAV file, letting you listen to it via any media player such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, or VLC Media Player.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

12. Customize a podcast

By default, NotebookLM uses its own AI-based skills and knowledge to create your podcast. But you can direct or tweak a podcast by adding instructions on what you want. To try this, add your sources and allow them to be incorporated. Instead of clicking the Generate button, click Customize.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

13. Add your instructions

In the Customize Audio Overview window, add your directions to customize the focus of the podcast. Follow the steps listed in the window to specify exactly what you'd like to hear. When done, click Generate.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

14. Play the podcast

Play the podcast to see if the AI followed your instructions. If not, you can always try again and rewrite your directions to better express your wishes.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

15. Access your podcasts

To return to the main NotebookLM screen, click NotebookLM at the top left of the screen. You'll then find all the podcasts you've generated. Click a specific podcast to load and play it. Click the three-dot icon and you can change the title or delete the podcast entirely.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

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