AI is rapidly reshaping the way startups operate, and last week, NYU founders got an exclusive look at how Google’s latest AI tools can supercharge their businesses. At “Powering Your Startup with AI,” Google Labs’ Amanda Hyman (MBA Stern ’23, and former Venture Associate for the NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge!) and Christian Samuelson led a packed hands on workshop with demos, and practical applications of Gemini, Notebook LM, and other cutting-edge AI tools from Google.
The workshop kicked off with an interactive demonstration of Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, and its powerful Deep Research feature. Rather than just explaining how it works, the presenters walked the room through a real use case—feeding information into Deep Research and setting it to process in the background. This set the stage for what came next: using Notebook LM to transform raw research into more digestible content.
As Deep Research worked its magic, attendees turned their focus to Notebook LM, a tool designed to pull insights from various sources like internal documents, videos, and even podcasts. A highlight of the demo was seeing how Notebook LM could take dense material and generate short, structured summaries—perfect for entrepreneurs who need quick takeaways without sifting through endless reports.
Once Notebook LM’s capabilities were on full display, the group circled back to the results from Deep Research. The presenters showcased how the insights it generated could be seamlessly fed into Notebook LM to create different content formats—whether for an internal strategy doc, a blog post, or even a podcast script. Seeing the workflow in action was a lightbulb moment for many in the room, illustrating just how powerful these tools can be when used together.
The session didn’t stop at research. Attendees also got a sneak peek at a suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance creativity and streamline workflows. From MusicFX, which generates custom soundtracks, to Aloud, a tool for real-time video transcription in multiple languages, the lineup had something for everyone. Veo showed off AI-powered video creation, while Magic Editor and ImageFX demonstrated the ability to fine-tune and transform images with ease.
One of the key takeaways from the workshop was that AI isn’t just about automation—it’s about reclaiming time. Founders are constantly balancing a million tasks, and these tools offer a way to offload tedious work, freeing up more energy for big-picture thinking and innovation.
The event wrapped up after the walkthroughs, but the energy in the room lingered. Attendees were eager to chat with the hosts, sharing ideas and discussing ways they could integrate AI into their ventures.
If there was one overarching takeaway, it was this: these AI applications are powerful tools, but true value depends on how you use them. Whether for research, content creation, or workflow automation, the potential is there—it’s up to founders to make the most of it.
