The Data Exchange with Ben Lorica From NotebookLM to Audio Companions: Why Google’s AI Team Went Startup
Aug 14, 2025
Raiza Martin, co-founder of Huxe and former leader of Google's NotebookLM team, shares insights on her exciting transition from a tech giant to startup life. She discusses the innovative potential of audio-first personal AI companions, highlighting how they can enhance daily interactions. The conversation dives into the evolution of AI models and the emotional connections users form with chatbots. Raiza also addresses the challenges of deploying AI and the importance of privacy, showcasing a future where technology feels increasingly personal.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Leaving Google To Try Startup Life
- Raiza and co-founders left Google to experience startup life despite success with NotebookLM.
- Seven months after leaving in December, Raiza says they made the right choice and are enjoying the different pace.
Contextualized Intelligence Defined
- NotebookLM provides contextualized intelligence grounded in user-provided sources like class materials.
- Users can converse with the system as an expert in those uploaded sources for personalized answers.
Designing For Micro-Moments
- Hux targets everyday moments like commutes to create personalized audio experiences.
- The team prototypes by mapping daily routines to find novel, delightful touchpoints such as transit time.