Key Leaders Behind Google’s NotebookLM Venture Into Stealth Mode with New Startup
Some of the brightest minds behind Google's NotebookLM, an AI-powered viral tool, are embarking on a bold new journey. Raiza Martin, the former head of the team, along with designer Jason Spielman and engineer Stephen Hughes, have announced their departure from Google to launch a stealth-mode startup aimed at creating transformative AI products.
In a post published on LinkedIn, Martin expressed the team's shared belief in the enormous opportunity to create something revolutionary in the AI space. While the startup remains shrouded in secrecy, the team's previous work on AI tools such as AI-generated podcasts and AI-assisted note-taking hints at their ability to develop consumer-friendly innovations.
According to Martin, “As frontier models and their capabilities continue to grow, thoughtful products are needed to make the benefits of this technology accessible, useful and obvious to everyday people.”
The startup will focus on delivering user-driven AI solutions, ensuring that cutting-edge technology serves consumers for practical, everyday purposes. Although the company has not yet disclosed details about its funding, or even its name, Martin has highlighted the strong external support the team has received: “The support outside of Google - from fellow founders, investors, academics and people who want to join - has been tremendous and really encouraging for our small team.”
The new company is at a nascent stage, with a minimalist website that offers no further information about its mission or its upcoming products.
While details remain a mystery, the trio's departure indicates their ambition to take advantage of rapid advances in AI. If their work with NotebookLM is any indication, the tech world can look forward to a consumer-oriented, user-centric product that leverages the latest AI models in a way that resonates with everyday users. This stealth-mode startup marks another chapter in the evolution of AI-driven consumer products, and the industry will be watching closely to see what this talented team builds next. Stay tuned.
