How To Use NotebookLM BY Google as a research assistant

Recently I discovered how NotebookLM by Google can save me so much time when researching a specific topic.

NotebookLM is an AI-powered note-taking tool by Google, built with Gemini 2.0. I’ve come across it before but never quite figured out how to use it because it’s not like ChatGPT or Perplexity or Claude, etc.

I stumbled across this video by Jeff Su and he demonstrated how easily you can transform NotebookLM into your specialized virtual research assistant.

I’m currently sorting out a Lasting Power of Attorney/Deputyship for my dad, you see. And honestly, there’s a fair bit of information to process which left me with some things I was unsure about.

After watching Jeff’s video, I uploaded all the relevant sources I found to NotebookLM – links and PDFs from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, relevant YouTube videos, links from DementiaHub, etc. So now, NotebookLM has become a local specialist hub of information about LPAs and Deputyship in Singapore.

Then I asked away. It responded instantly. And I kept asking it questions.

And it was so helpful to be able to find the answers I needed straightaway. If the answer wasn’t in the sources provided, the system would tell you that it wasn’t available but otherwise, I definitely cleared some of my doubts.

You can save notes from the replies and export into FAQs and Study Guides. The freakiest thing is you can export an audio conversation about your topic between two AI-generated characters and it sounds so natural. Like, dayummmn!

Honestly, NotebookLM is a cool tool and I’m glad I finally discovered how I can utilize it effectively. I can see myself using this for research when I’m working on strategies and hopefully it will save me some time in future.