Google has launched a new feature for its AI note-taking app, Gemini Notebook, that allows users to interact directly with books purchased from Google Play Books. Dubbed “Expert Intelligence,” the tool enables users to ask questions about the material, generate infographics, create recipe books, or produce AI-generated podcasts based on the content of selected titles, marking a significant expansion of the app’s capabilities beyond user-uploaded documents.
The new feature, announced in a blog post by Google Labs, integrates Gemini Notebook with the Google Play Books library. During a briefing with The Verge, Google Labs editorial director Steven Johnson demonstrated how users could, for example, generate a recipe book using the principles from Michael Pollan’s Food Rules or apply insights from Kim Scott’s management book to a specific business plan.
Gemini Notebook, which launched last year as a research and note-taking assistant, initially allowed users to upload PDFs, websites, and other documents to query with AI. The Expert Intelligence update extends that capability to copyrighted books, raising both practical opportunities and potential concerns about copyright and fair use.
Google has not disclosed whether the feature requires explicit permission from publishers or authors. The company says the tool is designed to help users “unlock knowledge” from books they already own, and it limits interactions to titles purchased on the user’s own Google Play Books account. However, the move follows a broader trend of AI companies training models on copyrighted material, which has sparked lawsuits from authors, artists, and publishers.
Johnson emphasized that the feature is not about reproducing book content verbatim but about synthesizing ideas and applying them to new contexts. “It’s like having a conversation with the author’s expertise,” he said. The tool can also generate “AI podcasts” – audio summaries or discussions based on the book’s themes – which could appeal to commuters or multitaskers.
Critics worry that even derived summaries and analyses could undermine book sales or reduce the incentive to read full works. Others question the accuracy of AI-generated interpretations, especially for complex or nuanced texts. Google has not released a full list of supported books, but the feature is rolling out to Gemini Notebook users in English-speaking markets who have linked their Google Play Books account.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Accessibility of knowledge: Readers can now extract actionable insights from books without reading them cover to cover, potentially changing how people use reference and non-fiction works.
- Copyright and AI tension: The feature deepens the ongoing debate over whether AI companies need explicit licensing agreements with publishers to use copyrighted books as source material.
- Productivity shift: If broadly adopted, Gemini Notebook could become a central hub for research and learning, competing with tools like Notion AI, ChatGPT, and dedicated note-taking apps.
Background
Google’s NotebookLM (now Gemini Notebook) launched in 2023 as an experimental AI note-taking tool. It gained attention for its ability to generate “Audio Overviews” – AI-hosted podcast-style discussions of uploaded documents. The app has since evolved into a broader research assistant, adding features like source citations, study guides, and chat-based Q&A. The new Expert Intelligence feature marks the first time the app directly integrates with a commercial bookstore. Google Play Books, launched in 2010, holds millions of titles, but many publishers have been wary of allowing AI training on their catalogs. The feature arrives as several high-profile copyright lawsuits against AI companies (including OpenAI and Meta) are working their way through courts, with outcomes that could reshape the industry.
Key Perspectives
Google (via Steven Johnson): The feature is designed to help users “unlock knowledge” from books they already own, not to reproduce or distribute content. It focuses on synthesis and application, transforming reading into an interactive, productive experience. Google argues it respects ownership by only allowing access to purchased books.
Authors and publishers: Many are concerned that AI-generated digests and podcasts could reduce book sales, especially for non-fiction where readers often seek key takeaways. Authors’ groups have previously criticized Google for scanning books without permission in its Books project, and worry this feature could revive those tensions.
Critics and skeptics: Privacy advocates note that the feature requires linking a Google Play Books account, giving Google more data on reading habits. Some academics warn that AI summaries may oversimplify arguments or misrepresent evidence, particularly in fields like history or philosophy. There are also questions about whether the tool will work reliably with older or less popular titles.
What to Watch
- Publisher backlash: Watch for statements from major publishing houses (Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins) about whether they authorized this use of their books.
- Feature adoption: How many users link their Play Books accounts, and whether Google expands the feature to other bookstores or formats (e.g., Kindle via browser).
- Legal filings: Any new copyright lawsuits or cease-and-desist letters targeting Google’s integration of AI with purchased books.
- Accuracy benchmarks: Independent tests of how well the AI handles complex or ambiguous texts, especially in areas like law, medicine, or religion.