Google has introduced a new feature for Docs that allows users to generate audio versions of their documents using artificial intelligence. Through this feature, users can customize Gemini AI’s audio with different voices and variable listening speeds. The option is not limited to document authors. Google has announced that readers of a shared document can also listen to the audio version by selecting the Tools > Audio > Listen to this tab menu.
Authors, on the other hand, can add a custom audio button directly within the document via Insert > Audio, which readers can click to listen to.
The company first announced in April that it planned to allow documents to be converted into podcasts using AI. However, this new feature is more practical for those who just want to listen to the written text. For now, the option is only available for documents in English and only on desktop devices. According to the announcement, Google is rolling out the feature to Workspace users with business, enterprise, or education plans, as well as those with AI Pro and Ultra.