Google is continuing its steady rollout of one of its most useful AI features — Audio Overview — across its ecosystem. After debuting in NotebookLM and later arriving in Google Docs back in August, the feature is now making its way to Google Drive. This expansion means you can soon listen to summaries of PDFs stored in your cloud, making it easier than ever to digest information on the go.
The company announced the update in a recent Workspace blog post. Audio Overview is part of the broader Gemini-driven updates coming to Workspace. Using it is simple: open a PDF in Drive, tap the Audio Overview button at the top of the page, confirm generation, and Gemini will create a spoken summary of the document. Depending on the length and complexity of the file, generating the overview may take a few moments. For now, the feature supports only English-language PDFs, though wider language support is expected down the line.
A new way to absorb information
Google is betting big on Audio Overviews, integrating them not just into Workspace apps but even directly into Chrome. The appeal is clear — simplicity. Instead of scanning long documents, users can listen to concise two- to ten-minute summaries that capture the main ideas. According to Google, this can save time and make complex content more approachable, whether you’re preparing for a meeting, interview, or exam.
Like in NotebookLM, Audio Overviews in Google Drive are structured like a short podcast, featuring two AI “hosts” who discuss and break down the content conversationally. This format aims to make summaries feel more natural and engaging, though results will vary depending on the document type and complexity.
It’s not yet confirmed whether Audio Overviews will extend to other file formats such as Microsoft Word documents. However, with Google’s growing integration of Gemini-powered features across its products, Drive users can expect continued expansion and refinement of AI-assisted reading tools in the near future.
