Google Docs now offers Gemini-powered audio summaries that turn document insights into audio playback with selectable voices, adjustable speed, and a timeline scrubber.

These summaries run for a few minutes, using a natural speaking style to help users catch up quickly.

Access is via Tools > Audio > Listen to document summary; no admin toggles are required for end users, though availability is not universal yet.

rollout is staged with no separate admin controls, expanding gradually across domains; visibility may take more than a couple of weeks.

The broader rollout is expected to reach more Workspace users in coming weeks and months, emphasizing flexible, across-device document consumption.

Experts note productivity implications and debates about AI’s impact on workload, with research suggesting tools may intensify rather than reduce work pace.

Potential drawbacks include missing complex details in short summaries, subscription pricing ($12–$20 per user monthly for certain plans), and uneven accessibility due to bandwidth and regional costs.

The feature launched on February 12, 2026, for eligible paid Workspace tiers, with no admin toggles needed for Rapid and Scheduled Release domains.

Rollout targets higher-tier plans and add-ons, with limited support for non-English accents and some non-English documents.

Promotional material for a separate Chrome Unboxed Plus program is included in coverage but not central to the Google Docs update.

The feature builds on NotebookLM tech, signaling Google’s move to bring NotebookLM capabilities into mainstream apps.

Overall aim is to improve accessibility and productivity for users juggling multiple documents.