The article details how AI, specifically Google's NotebookLM, is being used in historical research. Steven Johnson, a technology journalist and historian, used NotebookLM to aid his research on the California Gold Rush. The tool allowed him to curate source material, generate summaries, and even explore potential narrative angles.
Unlike other AI tools that draw from vast datasets, NotebookLM focuses on user-provided files. Its capabilities include creating summaries, generating podcasts, and aiding in the research process. This focused approach allows for a more curated and controlled research experience.
Johnson used NotebookLM with sources on the Gold Rush, including works by H.W. Brands and Lafayette Houghton Bunnell. He also incorporated Indigenous perspectives by uploading public domain accounts. The AI helped synthesize these disparate sources, providing Johnson with a more comprehensive understanding of the subject.
The article suggests AI could significantly transform how history is written, streamlining the research process and potentially offering new ways to approach historical narratives. The use of AI, in this case, allowed for the integration of multiple perspectives efficiently, revealing a more nuanced understanding of the topic.