Google has updated its AI-powered learning tool, NotebookLM, by introducing support for more than 50 languages in its Audio Overviews feature. With this update, users can now generate podcast-style summaries of their submitted content in languages beyond English — including Bahasa Malaysia.
According to a recent blog post, Google says the expansion is part of its broader effort to make learning and content creation more globally accessible. This follows NotebookLM’s rollout to over 200 countries last year. The company also notes that multilingual Audio Overviews are still in early development, and improvements will continue based on user feedback.
For the unfamiliar, Audio Overviews — launched in late 2024 — transform dense source material into conversational, podcast-like audio. The feature gained traction quickly for helping users digest information in a more accessible and engaging way.
Trying the feature ourselves, we have to admit the AI-generated dialogue in Bahasa Malaysia is surprisingly natural — accents, slang, and all. That said, there are moments where the delivery feels scripted and slightly uncanny. Still, if you prefer to absorb research findings in the national language, it’s a solid option to have.
Changing the language for Audio Overviews means adjusting NotebookLM’s overall language settings. To do this, click the Settings icon in the top-right corner, select “Output Language,” then choose “Melayu” from the list.
As before, NotebookLM takes a little time to process your sources before generating the AI podcast. In our case, it took just under 10 minutes before we could press play.
(Source: Google [official blog])
