Tech giant Google has introduced a new feature called Audio Overviews in its search engine, offering users a unique and hands-free way to receive detailed responses to their queries. This innovation uses artificial intelligence to transform search results into short, podcast-style audio clips featuring two virtual hosts who explain the topic in a conversational manner.
Rather than manually browsing through multiple search links, users can now rely on these AI-generated summaries to get a more engaging understanding of complex subjects. While the feature may not be suitable for simple searches like “When is Father’s Day?”, it proves useful for topics that require deeper context, such as the origins of national observances or historical events.
The Audio Overviews compile information from the first page of search results and present it in a dialogue format, making it more appealing and easier to follow. Listeners can control playback speed, ranging from 0.25x to 2x, and adjust volume settings. Each overview also cites the webpages it pulls information from, offering users the option to explore those sources further if they wish.
Though this feature has been available in a limited format within Google’s experimental tools earlier, it is now being extended to Google Search as part of an early access programme through Google Labs. Users interested in testing this feature can opt in via the Google Labs section on the company’s website.
In addition, the original version of Audio Overviews in NotebookLM, Google’s AI note-taking tool, has also been upgraded. It now allows for real-time interaction with the AI voices and includes a “Deep Dive” mode for more focused exploration of specific topics.
This new approach reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to make AI more useful in everyday digital experiences, especially for users who prefer listening over reading or want quick summaries while multitasking.
