NotebookLM's Upcoming Slide Generator Could Extend Its Reach Beyond Education
Key Points
- NotebookLM was originally designed as an AI study companion for students.
- The platform uses Google’s Gemini model to answer questions from user‑provided sources.
- Testing Catalog discovered an unreleased slide‑generation tool inside NotebookLM.
- The slide feature would let users create decks from their own documents, websites or video transcripts.
- Users can give specific instructions to customize slide content and focus.
- An additional infographic option was also observed, enabling visual data representations.
- If launched, the feature could broaden NotebookLM’s appeal to professional and business users.
- Google has not yet announced an official release timeline for the slide tool.
NotebookLM, originally positioned as an AI study companion, may soon add a slide‑creation tool powered by Gemini. The feature, spotted by Testing Catalog, would let users turn personal documents, websites or videos into presentation decks and infographics, customizing content with simple instructions. If released, the addition could broaden the platform’s appeal from classrooms to professional settings, offering a streamlined way to generate visual content without leaving the notebook environment.
Background of NotebookLM
Since its launch, NotebookLM has been marketed primarily toward students. The tool leverages Google’s Gemini model to help users study by answering questions and summarizing material drawn from uploaded documents, websites and even YouTube videos. While its core audience is educational, the platform’s underlying AI capabilities make it useful for a broader range of tasks.
The New Slide Feature
Testing Catalog recently uncovered an unreleased version of a slide‑generation tool within NotebookLM. The feature appears to be incomplete, but key functionality is visible. Users would be able to create a slide deck by providing the AI with their own sources—such as PDFs, web pages or video transcripts—and then prompting it to generate presentation slides based on that material. The tool is described as being powered by Gemini, the same model that runs the rest of NotebookLM.
Potential Impact
If the slide generator reaches a polished state, it could transform NotebookLM from a study aid into a professional presentation assistant. The ability to produce slides, audio or video overviews, and even infographics from personal data would give users a quick way to prepare work‑related decks without switching to separate design software. This aligns with the broader trend of AI‑driven content creation tools that aim to streamline workflow across both academic and business environments.
What Has Been Observed
The prototype seen by Testing Catalog shows a user interface that allows a few clicks to turn uploaded documents into a slide deck. It also suggests that users can give specific instructions—such as focusing on particular topics or customizing the visual style—to shape the output. In addition to slide creation, the preview also hinted at an infographic option, enabling the generation of visual charts or images based on the supplied data.
Looking Ahead
Google has not confirmed a release date for the slide feature, and the current build lacks some expected capabilities. Nevertheless, the early glimpse indicates that NotebookLM could soon support a more comprehensive set of content‑creation tools, potentially attracting professionals who need fast, AI‑assisted presentation materials. As the feature matures, it may become a differentiator for NotebookLM in a crowded AI‑tool market.