Google's AI-Generated Podcast Can Now Speak 50 Languages
It might still struggle with the less common languages.
Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, and let’s be honest, the world is slowly getting used to it. AI has made its way into nearly every part of life, constantly trying to improve how we work, learn, and communicate.
Lately, big tech companies like OpenAI have been pushing AI deeper into education, like its recent partnership with Estonia to bring ChatGPT to universities nationwide, along with similar efforts at several U.S. schools, all in hopes of making learning easier and more engaging.
Now, Google is making its own move with an update to what I believe is one of its most underrated AI features: Audio Overviews in NotebookLM. This tool turns your documents into podcast-style conversations between two AI hosts. Instead of a dry text-to-speech robot, the AI-generated hosts actually talk about the content, cracking jokes, asking questions, and explaining tricky parts in a way that feels pretty natural. It’s a little like having two AI friends recap your study material while you’re cooking dinner.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Until now, this feature has only been available in English. But with the latest update, it can speak in over 50 languages, including Hindi, Spanish, Korean, and even Latin. That means users can now generate personalised, easy-to-follow audio summaries in the language they’re most comfortable with. No more clunky translation tools or language barriers getting in the way.
Sure, it’s still in beta, and the voices can sometimes stumble, especially with less common languages. But it’s a big step forward. You can now switch languages mid-project, create multilingual study guides, or share research summaries with friends, students, or family without needing a translator.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
What makes this more than just a cool feature is the timing. While competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft focus on high-powered AI chats, Google is carving a space for tools that feel more human and inclusive. By supporting languages like Maithili, Konkani, and Turkish, it’s opening up access in a way that many others haven’t managed yet.
NotebookLM already works in over 200 countries, and with this update, its reach feels even more global. The feature is also now available in Google Docs and Gemini, so you’re not locked into one platform. Whether you’re a teacher handling international students or just trying to learn Portuguese for fun, this update makes learning more accessible and a whole lot more fun.
