Artificial intelligence (AI) for text generation is a rapidly developing technology that is increasingly becoming part of everyday life. Whether for writing blog posts, academic papers, or marketing content, AI tools create new opportunities for efficient and creative text production.
During your studies, AI text-generation tools can provide valuable support. The ability to use such technologies effectively and responsibly is also likely to become an important skill in the professional world.
However, their use requires critical thinking, fairness, and responsible handling. Before using AI tools, make sure they do not compromise the quality of your academic work and that you use them in a transparent and ethical way (see Using AI at the HSLU). It is recommended to discuss the use of AI with your supervisors at an early stage.
Another area in which AI has made significant progress is text comprehension. One specialized tool developed by Google for this purpose is NotebookLM.
NotebookLM
What is NotebookLM? NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and note-taking tool designed to help students and researchers organize, structure, and analyze their own documents. It focuses on knowledge management by allowing users to collect, connect, and explore information from multiple sources for learning and research purposes.
Advantages compared to tools like ChatGPT
Unlike general AI chatbots, NotebookLM works directly with the documents uploaded by the user. This offers several advantages:
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- Source-grounded answers: Responses are based only on the uploaded materials, reducing the risk of hallucinations.
- Traceability: Statements can be linked back to specific passages in the original sources.
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Key features
NotebookLM consists of three main sections: Sources, Chat, and Studio.
Sources
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- Upload and manage documents and other materials
- Supports multiple formats (e.g., PDFs, text documents, presentations, Google Docs, websites)
- Select which sources should be included in the analysis
- Analyze several documents together to build a structured knowledge base
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Chat
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- Ask questions about your uploaded sources
- Generate summaries of one or multiple documents
- Clarify concepts, arguments, and relationships
- Compare statements or perspectives from different sources
- Get support when working with complex texts
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Studio
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- Convert content into different output formats such as:
- podcasts or video overviews
- reports or data tables
- flashcards, quizzes, or mind maps
- infographics and presentations
- Customize outputs before generation
- Choose which sources should be used to create the final result
- Convert content into different output formats such as:
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Note: The free version includes daily usage limits for some Studio features, while the Pro plan provides significantly higher capacity.
Important: Always review AI-generated content critically and use it responsibly. When using such tools, pay attention to data protection and possible copyright restrictions.
Below are some other well-known and widely used tools for AI-supported text generation and content creation:
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Jenni AI – Supports the writing of academic papers and research articles.
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Jasper AI – Helps generate marketing copy, blog posts, product descriptions, and other types of content.
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Writesonic – An AI writing assistant for creating articles, marketing texts, emails, and more.
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Rytr – Provides AI-assisted grammar and spelling checks, as well as features such as keyword research.
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Frase – Supports search engine optimization and helps improve website content.
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ClosersCopy – Focuses on SEO and the creation of marketing copy.
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Neuroflash – A tool for generating marketing texts, particularly aimed at the German-speaking market.
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Writecream – Assists with writing business emails, blog posts, YouTube voice-overs, and other content formats.
This list is not exhaustive, and new tools are continuously being developed. The most suitable tool depends on the specific requirements of your project. Many services offer basic features free of charge, while advanced functions or unlimited usage are typically available through paid subscriptions.
Despite their capabilities, AI tools should not replace human judgment. Generated texts should always be reviewed carefully to ensure accuracy, quality, and alignment with your specific goals.