Google has announced that its AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM, will be rebranded as Gemini Notebook, the latest move in the company's strategy to consolidate its artificial intelligence offerings under the Gemini name. The tool, which first appeared as Project Tailwind at Google I/O in 2023, has grown to serve more than 30 million individual users and over 600,000 organisations worldwide.
The rebranding comes alongside a significant feature update: each notebook will now act as a secure container where users can write and execute code directly. This enables complex data analysis by pulling information from multiple sources, making the tool more interactive for researchers, analysts, and business users. The code execution capability is initially available to subscribers of the Google AI Ultra plan and Workspace business customers with AI Ultra or Expanded Access. Pro users are expected to receive the feature in the coming weeks.
For UK businesses, the integration of code execution into a research tool could streamline workflows for data analysts, financial modellers, and product teams. However, the move also raises questions about data security and compliance under UK data protection law. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has previously highlighted the need for transparency in AI tools that process personal data. Google has stressed that each notebook is a 'secure container', but businesses handling sensitive information should review how data is stored and processed within the Gemini environment.
From a regulatory standpoint, the UK is still developing its approach to AI governance, while the EU's AI Act is already in force. British companies operating across Europe will need to ensure that their use of Gemini Notebook complies with both UK and EU rules, particularly regarding high-risk AI applications. Dr. Eleanor Shaw, a technology policy researcher at the University of Cambridge, noted: 'Tools like Gemini Notebook offer real productivity gains, but organisations must not overlook the need for robust data governance and audit trails, especially when AI is used to generate or analyse business-critical information.'
Google has also confirmed that users can already view their notebooks within the Gemini app, and that access via AI Mode in Search will be introduced soon. This tighter integration with Google's core search product could make Gemini Notebook a default tool for millions of users, potentially reshaping how UK consumers and professionals conduct online research. For the UK economy, the shift underscores the growing reliance on AI assistants for knowledge work, but also highlights the importance of digital literacy and data privacy in an increasingly AI-mediated world.