Google has unveiled a new feature called “Featured Notebooks” in its AI-powered tool NotebookLM. In collaboration with writers, researchers, and reputable publications like The Economist and The Atlantic, the company has made curated collections of content available to users—allowing them to dive directly into deep learning and engagement with various topics, instead of starting from scratch.
Recently, Google introduced the innovative “Featured Notebooks” for NotebookLM. Overall, NotebookLM is an AI-based note-taking and podcast creation tool designed to provide answers based solely on the sources you upload, rather than searching the entire web. This approach significantly reduces common AI errors. Now, with the introduction of Featured Notebooks, Google has taken this concept a step further. These are high-quality, pre-curated collections assembled by global experts and leading publishers.
The New Featured Notebooks in NotebookLM
Each featured notebook in NotebookLM functions like a smart mini-library with all of NotebookLM’s tools activated. For example, users can quickly review AI-generated smart summaries to grasp the content efficiently, explore main themes through mind maps, or even use audio overviews to have the AI generate podcasts from the materials.
NotebookLM’s Special Collections
To kick things off, Google has launched 8 featured notebooks in diverse topics, in partnership with renowned institutions. These notebooks can be accessed and added to your personal library via the links provided:
- Predictions for 2025: Based on The Economist’s annual report The World Ahead.
- Life Advice: Drawn from Arthur C. Brooks’ popular How to Build a Life column in The Atlantic.
- Secrets of Longevity: Based on the best-selling book Super Agers by Eric Topol.
- Parenting in the Digital Age: From the popular newsletter Techno Sapiens.
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: A comprehensive resource for students and literature enthusiasts.
- Scientific Guide to Yellowstone National Park: Includes geological explanations and biodiversity insights.
- Financial Reports: Analysis of Q1 earnings from the world’s 50 largest companies.
- The Human Wellbeing Process: A research-based notebook from Oxford-affiliated project Our World in Data.
This initiative follows the recent success of NotebookLM’s public notebook sharing feature, which attracted over 140,000 users in just four weeks. The editorial director of NotebookLM said, “This feature offers a glimpse into a future where thousands of expert-curated notebooks will be available on every topic imaginable—ready to be added to your library and accessed whenever you need.”
Google’s partners have also welcomed the move. The Economist’s editor-in-chief described this project as the publication’s first AI-focused collaboration.
Currently, this feature is available to desktop users of NotebookLM, with Google planning to expand the number of featured notebooks in the near future.
