Picture a tool that can quickly summarize dense, voluminous documents in short soundbites. Got your attention?
Recently, a growing number of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms have begun experimenting with turning written content into highly tailored audio. For lawyers, these tools can transform long case opinions, pleadings, or appellate briefs, for example, into audio formats that are easier to absorb during a commute, workout, or while multitasking.
These platforms allow users to upload PDFs, then use AI to generate audio overviews that are grounded strictly in those sources. This delivers more accurate and contextual answers based on the information provided and backed by prompt instructions, if desired.
Some of these AI-powered tools include NotebookLM, Wondercraft, and Monica Podcast. While not designed exclusively for legal work, they offer methods to turn complex documents into accessible audio summaries that can supplement – but never replace – a lawyer’s critical legal analysis and review.
Below, I look at what these tools offer and highlight important ethical considerations for lawyers who may use them.
NotebookLM
Google’s NotebookLM is an AI research and task assistant used by students and professionals across industries, including legal. For example, lawyers can request to hear a content overview by an AI-generated “expert,” listen to an AI-generated debate about differences in sources, or hear a critique of an argument.
Recently, NotebookLM introduced new podcast-style features—Deep Dive, Brief, Critique, and Debate. These allow lawyers to toggle between concise updates and more robust explorations of arguments, offering a flexible way to analyze evidence, highlight strengths and weaknesses, or predict counterarguments.
In addition, users can direct the AI “hosts” to focus on a particular area by typing instructions into a text field. Users may also adjust the desired length of the audio output (i.e., make the produced podcast longer or shorter) and ask the “hosts” to speak in a variety of languages.
Wondercraft
Another tool, Wondercraft, specializes in transforming written material from opinions, articles, or other content into natural-sounding podcasts. Users can customize voice styles and lengths to suit different audiences, which could help law firms scale internal knowledge-sharing and client education efforts.
For lawyers, Wondercraft provides a relatively seamless way to convert documents into digestible on-demand audio. Document summaries or discussion-style presentations could be useful for both internal teams and external communications or marketing.
Monica Podcast
Likewise, Monica Podcast generates short podcast-like episodes from uploaded documents. It emphasizes simplicity and attempts to segment the uploaded content into topic areas when applicable, enabling users to quickly jump to relevant insights within the audio file.
Supplementing existing processes
As noted previously, audio overviews should supplement, but not replace, a lawyer’s professional analysis of content. However, when used to enhance traditional trial preparation, drafting, or critiques, this approach may offer a few benefits that text-based review cannot.
Instead of simply reading lengthy case files or research notes, audio options allow attorneys to listen to the material “come alive” in an efficient, dynamic, and conversational format.
Additionally, audio may boost information retention and comprehension, especially when dealing with complex content. Research has shown that learners exposed to audio information show marked improvement in both immediate comprehension and long-term memory compared to those relying solely on reading.
For busy legal professionals, audio learning means that content can be reviewed while on the go, extending productive study time without added strain or fatigue.
Try them out! Make a few AI podcasts that review those new appellate court opinions impacting your practice and listen to them on a walk.
As always, ethics first
As with all uses of AI, these audio tools raise important ethical concerns, especially regarding confidentiality and supervision.
Lawyers must ensure that confidential client data is anonymized prior to uploading it into any public AI tool, with all names and identifying details redacted. Lawyers must also frequently review the platform’s privacy terms and security protocols (currently, SOC 2 Type II certification).
Ideally, the tool has a zero data retention (ZDR) policy, meaning the provider does not store user prompts, responses, or other data after the AI has finished processing a task. Instead, the data is immediately deleted from memory outside the user’s account, preventing it from being used for future training or human review, helping to ensure privacy and security.
Firm policies and client agreements may dictate additional safeguards, including prohibitions of AI use altogether. And, for legal organizations and lawyers, all organizational policies on the use of AI must be coupled with training and supervision.
It is also vital to remember that these tools are only as good as the documents provided (i.e., the documents users upload). Any AI summary or critique should be carefully cross-checked for accuracy, as lawyers are responsible for the content they rely on. You do not want to be featured in the next article that chastises an attorney for citing a hallucinated case.
By transforming dense legal content into dynamic audio, AI tools like NotebookLM, Wondercraft, and Monica Podcast may empower attorneys to collaborate, strategize, and improve client services.
Lawyers who embrace these new tools, while maintaining their ethical commitments to confidentiality and accuracy, will find themselves better equipped to meet the fast-paced demands of modern law practice.
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