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AI-Powered "Tools for Thought": Exploring NotebookLM with Steven Berlin Johnson | E1869

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Dec 20, 2023

Guest

Steven Berlin Johnson

Steven Berlin Johnson, the acclaimed author and Google Labs researcher, shares insights into the innovative NotebookLM, an AI-powered research assistant. He discusses his journey to create this tool, focusing on its unique features that enhance document organization and support creative writing. The conversation delves into the rights of authors in the digital age and the philosophical implications of AI in managing information and consciousness, highlighting the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining the integrity of personal ideas.

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ADVICE

Using NotebookLM

Start by defining the relevant documents (sources) for your notebook in NotebookLM.
Each notebook can hold 20 documents (up to 200,000 words each) in various formats.

insights

INSIGHT

Conversation with Documents

NotebookLM enables conversations with documents, summarizing information quickly.
This allows rapid exploration of large datasets (e.g., a personal quote collection) and discovering connections.

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ADVICE

Suggested Questions

Utilize NotebookLM's suggested questions to enhance idea generation.
These questions, based on source material and previous queries, aid exploration and deeper understanding.

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Today’s show:

Steven Berlin Johnson joins Jason to demo Google’s NotebookLM, a new AI-powered research assistant he helped create at Google Labs. They dive into Steven’s journey to Google Labs (1:28), NotebookLM's unique features (14:09), the rights of authors in the digital age (40:22), and more!

Timestamps:

(0:00) Author Steven Berlin Johnson joins Jason

(1:28) Early experiences with the internet and Google’s Project Starline

(8:01) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist

(9:00) The significance of document organization, the concept and features of "sources" in NotebookLM, and the impact on writing (14:09) Steven demos Google NotebookLM

(28:06) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(29:36) Steven’s NotebookLM demo continued

(33:47) Jason showcases how he utilizes NotebookLM for TWiST's Business Breakdowns segment

(38:56) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist

(40:22) The rights of authors in the digital age

(52:01) Superintelligence and the trajectory of language models

Links: https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/writing-at-the-speed-of-thought-21dfb7f689e4 https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/good-ideas-the-four-minute-version-7e7856e69621 https://www.wired.com/story/googles-notebooklm-ai-ultimate-writing-assistant/

Follow Steven: https://twitter.com/stevenbjohnson Check out Steven’s website: https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/ Check out Steven’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-innovations/id1370092284

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