The Obtain: Google’s AI podcasts, and defending your mind information

Google’s new AI podcasting software, referred to as Audio Overview, has develop into a shock viral hit.

The podcasting function was launched in mid-September as a part of NotebookLM, a year-old AI-powered analysis assistant. NotebookLM, which is powered by Google’s Gemini 1.5 mannequin, permits folks to add content material corresponding to hyperlinks, movies, PDFs, and textual content. They’ll then ask the system questions concerning the content material, and it presents brief summaries.

The software generates a podcast referred to as Deep Dive, which incorporates a male and a feminine voice discussing no matter you uploaded. The voices are breathtakingly reasonable.

Sure, it’s cool—bordering on pleasant, even—however it is usually not immune from the issues that plague generative AI, corresponding to hallucinations and bias. Listed here are among the principal methods persons are utilizing NotebookLM to this point

—Melissa Heikkilä

A brand new legislation in California protects shoppers’ mind information. Some assume it doesn’t go far sufficient.

On September 28, California turned the second US state to formally acknowledge the significance of psychological privateness in state legislation. Measuring mind exercise can reveal lots about an individual—and that’s why neural information must be protected.Mind information is valuable. It’s not the identical as thought, however it may be used to work out how we’re pondering and feeling, and reveal our innermost preferences and wishes. Jessica Hamzelou, our senior biotech reporter, has taken a have a look at how California’s legislation may shield psychological privateness—and the way far we nonetheless must go. Learn the total story.

This story is from The Checkup, our weekly publication supplying you with the within observe on all issues biotech. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.