Google renames NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook and adds native code execution

The standalone research tool now syncs with the Gemini app, while its cloud-computing update is initially limited to AI Ultra and selected Workspace customers.

Google has renamed NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook and added native code execution through a secure cloud computer

Google has renamed NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook and started rolling out a secure cloud computer that allows the AI research tool to write and execute code using information from a user's sources.

The update places the product more firmly within Google's Gemini ecosystem. Despite the new name and integration, Google says Gemini Notebook will remain a standalone research product rather than becoming a feature available only inside the Gemini app.

"We're renaming NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook," says Josh Woodward, VP for Google Labs, the Gemini app and AI Studio. "It's the same standalone product, now doing more across the Google ecosystem and updated with a secure cloud computer."

Google introduced the product as Project Tailwind at Google I/O 2023. Figures supplied by the company show that more than 30 million people and 600,000 organizations now use it, although the announcement does not provide a breakdown of education users, active accounts or paid customers.

Secure cloud computer adds code execution

The new cloud environment enables Gemini Notebook to generate and run code within individual notebooks. Google says the feature is intended to support complex data analysis grounded in uploaded sources, as well as new output formats and deeper analysis.

Access is being introduced in stages rather than across every account at once. The feature is available first to Google AI Ultra users and Workspace business customers with AI Ultra Access or AI Expanded Access.

Google has not specified the programming languages supported by the cloud computer or detailed its processing and usage limits.

Notebooks now sync with the Gemini app

Users can create and access notebooks directly within the Gemini app, with changes synchronized between the app and the standalone Gemini Notebook product.

Google also plans to bring notebooks into AI Mode in Google Search. The company has not provided a date for that integration.

For business customers, Google says Gemini Notebook and its Audio Overviews are now included in all Workspace plans. The product can import Google Docs and Slides from Drive and supports shared notebooks for team collaboration.

Business use cases identified by Google include analyzing financial and market documents, creating onboarding resources from training manuals and policies, and preparing meeting plans using product specifications and internal research.

Students can build notebooks from course materials

Gemini Notebook allows users to upload PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, Google Docs and Google Slides. It can summarize those sources, answer questions about their contents and provide citations connecting responses to the underlying material.

Google says students can use the product to work with lecture recordings, textbook chapters and research papers, including asking it to explain concepts, generate examples and turn notes into audio or video summaries.

The company states that data uploaded through an organization or school account is not used to train Gemini Notebook. For individual accounts, Google says data is not used for training unless the user shares feedback.

Native code execution is available now to Google AI Ultra users and eligible Workspace business customers. Google says it will reach all Pro users on the web over the coming weeks, while the planned integration with AI Mode in Search remains undated.