Google has expanded access to audio overviews in NotebookLM, an AI tool, to over 50 languages, including Swahili and Afrikaans. This update is particularly impactful in Africa, aiding students and educators by breaking down language barriers.
NotebookLM is an AI-powered learning assistant that helps users grasp complex information from lecture notes, PDFs, research reports, and web content. It uses Gemini's native audio support to transform documents into engaging, podcast-style conversations.
Nanjala Misiko, Head of B2C Marketing at Google Africa, emphasized the update's significance, noting that it bridges the language gap in multilingual learning environments. Students, entrepreneurs, and content creators can now listen to summaries in their preferred languages. The rollout of Gemini 2.5 Flash in NotebookLM in April 2025 has made the feature faster and more natural sounding.
For example, a student in Dar es Salaam can listen to English biology notes in Swahili, while a teacher in Cape Town can offer summaries in both English and Afrikaans. Google plans to further enhance accessibility with multilingual audio overviews.