Google has introduced an AI-powered note-taking feature called “Take notes for me” in Google Meet, which is now being made available to select Google Workspace customers. This tool aims to boost meeting efficiency by automatically summarising discussions, rather than providing a verbatim transcription like Google Meet’s existing transcription service.
The feature, which was announced at Google’s 2023 Cloud Next conference, is currently accessible to Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education Premium, or AI Meetings & Messaging add-ons. It is expected to be rolled out to all Google Workspace users by September 10, 2024.
The “Take notes for me” feature functions by automatically generating notes in a Google Doc during the meeting. Once the meeting concludes, this document is attached to the corresponding calendar event and shared with the meeting organiser and any participants who enabled the feature. This ensures that even if you miss a meeting, you can easily review the main points discussed.
If you join a meeting late, the tool provides a “Summary so far” to quickly catch you up on the key points covered, allowing you to seamlessly join the discussion without disrupting the flow. For users who utilise Google Meet’s recording and transcription features simultaneously, links to those files will also be included in the meeting notes document.
This feature could be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with processing spoken language while taking notes, as it allows them to remain focused and engaged during meetings without the need for repeated clarifications.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the accuracy of the AI-generated notes, as Google Meet’s transcription tool has been known to produce errors that require manual corrections.
Google remains optimistic about the potential of this new note-taking feature to improve meeting productivity and collaboration. As the rollout progresses, it will be interesting to see how the AI-generated notes compare to traditional manual note-taking and whether they can provide a reliable and efficient alternative for meeting participants.