Google Docs gets AI voice reader, lets you turn your documents into audio with a click

India Today

15 hours ago

Google Docs is finally getting a voice of its own, quite literally. Beginning this week, Gemini, Google's AI assistant, will be able to read your documents out loud thanks to a brand-new 'Audio' feature.The tool is designed to do more than just narrate. It aims to help users 'hear your content out loud, absorb information better while reading, or help catch errors in your writing,' as reported by 9to5Google. Whether you're reviewing an essay, scanning a report, or simply too tired to read another page of text, the feature turns Docs into your personal narrator.advertisementHow it worksThe new option appears in the Tools menu, tucked neatly between Voice typing and Gemini. Selecting 'Audio' allows you to press 'Listen to this tab,' which then launches a sleek, pill-shaped player. The floating window shows playback duration and can be moved around the screen for convenience. Playback is fully interactive; you can pause, skip around with the scrubber, and even adjust the reading speed.
And this isn't just a flat, monotone text-to-speech engine. Google has added personality. There are seven AI voices on offer: Narrator, Educator, Teacher, Explainer, Coach, Motivator, and Persuader, each bringing a slightly different style. Want a calm, instructional tone? Pick an Educator. Need something with a bit more drive? The motivator is ready to cheer you on. The company says these 'clear, natural-sounding voices' are designed to avoid the robotic feel of traditional text-to-speech.Sharing with soundThe fun doesn't stop at personal use. If you're collaborating on a shared document, you can embed a listening button directly into the file. That way, anyone with access can listen instead of read. The steps are straightforward: head to Insert > Audio buttons > Listen to tab, then type in @Listen to tab. Instantly, collaborators can play the text aloud without needing to scroll through paragraphs.This could prove handy in classrooms, workplaces, or any environment where listening might be easier than reading. Think of it as giving your documents an audio companion for accessibility, convenience, or just a change of pace.A feature with purposeAccording to 9to5Google, the Audio feature is already live on the web version of Google Docs for select Workspace users. Initially, it's being made available only to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, Google's premium AI tiers.The use cases are wide-ranging. From proofreading and editing (hearing awkward phrasing out loud often makes errors obvious) to absorbing long reports while multitasking, the feature feels like a natural step forward. After all, we already talk to our phones, why shouldn't our documents talk back?More than just audioAlongside this rollout, Google Docs on Android is also gaining an AI-powered image generator. This means Gemini can now whip up visuals inside your documents, further blurring the line between plain text editor and creative AI workspace. Like the audio tool, this addition is limited to AI Pro and Ultra users.advertisementFor Google, these updates hint at a bigger push to make Docs smarter, more interactive, and far less static. Documents aren't just about typing anymore, they're about how we experience and interact with the content.In short, Google Docs is no longer just a writing platform. With Gemini lending its voice and creative skills, your files can talk, persuade, coach, or simply explain, all at the click of a button.- Ends