As technology continues to advance, people across Africa are increasingly turning to AI tools to support their learning and teaching experiences. One of the most helpful features from Google, Audio Overviews, is now available in over 50 languages — including Swahili and Afrikaans. This feature transforms documents into engaging podcast-style conversations, making it easier for users to absorb complex information.
NotebookLM, an AI-powered learning assistant, is designed to help users better understand difficult concepts by using their own materials such as lecture notes, PDFs, research reports, and web content. With the addition of Audio Overviews, users can now listen to dynamic voice explanations of key ideas, providing a new way to engage with the material. This feature is perfect for those who prefer to learn by listening or need to study on the go.
Since the launch of Audio Overviews, learners and educators have provided positive feedback, noting how the feature brings information to life. With the recent rollout of Gemini 2.5 Flash in NotebookLM, the feature has become faster, smarter, and more natural-sounding. Users can even ask follow-up questions to the podcast hosts for a deeper understanding.
Nanjala Misiko, Head of B2C Marketing at Google Africa, highlighted the impact of this update on learning across multiple languages in Africa. The ability to generate audio summaries in locally spoken African languages helps bridge the gap for those facing language barriers in both learning and digital access.
Users can now set an “Output Language” in the NotebookLM settings, allowing them to switch between languages and receive audio and text responses accordingly. For example, a student in Dar es Salaam can upload English biology notes but choose to listen to the overview in Swahili. Similarly, a teacher in Cape Town can provide summaries in both English and Afrikaans for diverse classrooms.
These language advancements build on NotebookLM’s global reach, which became available in over 200 countries in 2023. The introduction of Gemini 2.5 Flash in April 2025 further enhanced the tool’s responsiveness and insights. The launch of multilingual Audio Overviews is the next step in helping more people access information in a way that suits their learning preferences.
With Google’s commitment to expanding access to AI tools and supporting diverse languages, users can now enjoy a seamless learning experience that caters to their individual needs.
