Google is experimenting with a new feature called "Daily Listen" that uses AI to create personalized podcast-style summaries in its Discover feed. The system pulls together a roughly five-minute audio episode based on topics and stories you follow, serving it up in the carousel below the search bar in Google's mobile apps. If you're in the US and want to try it out, you can enable Daily Listen through Search Labs on either Android or iOS. Once activated, your first AI-generated episode will show up the following day.
The technology seems to share DNA with Google's NotebookLM podcast system. Like other AI tools that process text, these audio summaries make up facts, especially when trying to digest and synthesize large amounts of diverse content. It is better to treat these summaries as helpful but fallible assistants than as authoritative sources.
Las Vegas police revealed that Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old former soldier, used ChatGPT and other AI tools to plan an attack involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel on New Year's Day. After detonating the vehicle, Livelsberger died by suicide at the scene. According to Sheriff Kevin McMahill, Livelsberger utilized generative AI to research explosives, projectile velocities, and fireworks before carrying out the attack. McMahill called the use of AI in attack planning a "game changer" and has alerted other law enforcement agencies about this development. OpenAI pointed out that ChatGPT only provided information that was already available to the public. The explosion resulted in minor injuries to seven people, with minimal damage to the hotel structure. Investigators determined that Livelsberger acted alone and had not intended to harm others in the attack.