The Expert Behind Google’s NotebookLM AI Writing Tool

Sign Up for "Writing Examples" and Learn From The Best Writing of All Time: https://www.writingexamples.com Steven Johnson has studied software and AI-based tools for thought for more than 35 years. His consensus? Large Language models and human creativity aren’t at odds. They’re at their best when they work in harmony. Johnson has written thirteen books, many of which explore how tools and technologies expand what humans are capable of and transform societies. He created NotebookLM to help writers use AI to supplement their creative process — not to replace their thinking, but to amplify it. In this episode, you’ll learn how to capture ideas without friction, how to seamlessly structure your work, how to leverage the element of surprise, and how to turn sheer information into unique insight — all while using AI, of course. Ultimately, you’ll soak up Johnson’s 35 years of expertise and come away with actionable steps to make your writing process faster and your insights more surprising. SPEAKER LINKS: Website: https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/ Twitter:   / stevenbjohnson   Book: https://www.amazon.com/Steven-Johnson... Google Research:    / @googleresearch   Google NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google/ WRITE OF PASSAGE: Want to learn more about the next class for Write of Passage? Click here: https://writeofpassage.school PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-w... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSbo... TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:31 Teaching Google 00:11:05 LLMs vs ChatGPT 00:16:05 Articles vs Books 00:20:30 Editing 00:27:20 Structure 00:35:00 Spark File 00:37:00 Jony Ive 00:38:20 Tools for thought 00:47:00 Google NotebookLM 00:50:30 Write faster 00:56:00 Writing on the level of sentences 01:05:10 The Infernal Machine 01:15:35 Writing curriculum 01:29:00 Core idea ABOUT THE HOST: I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.