Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
What if, thanks to AI, you can now research and write a book two, three, or even four times faster? For authors and AI pioneers Steven Johnson (Editorial Director, NotebookLM (notebooklm.google.com/) and Google Labs) and Ethan Mollick (Wharton professor and creator of One Useful Thing (oneusefulthing.org/) ), that's the new reality. In this episode, they crack open their personal toolkits to reveal the prompts and workflows they use to supercharge their creativity.
What you’ll learn:
• How Steven used AI to write 40,000 words in 72 hours.
• The specific AI tools Steven and Ethan rely on for researching and writing.
• Whether AI will ever write better than humans.
• How the very concept of a "book" may morph into an interactive, personalized experience that readers can query, customize, and even turn into a game.
Further listening:
• BILL GATES: Superhuman AI May Be Closer Than You Think (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000660411293)
• SAL KHAN: How AI Will Revolutionize the Way We Learn (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000657266240)
• MARYANNE WOLF: Are We Forgetting How To Read? (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000604460827)
• STEVEN JOHNSON & DAVID CHALMERS: Artificial Intelligence Meets Virtual Worlds (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000621000022)
• ADAM BROTMAN & ANDY SACK: The AI Tsunami Is Already Here (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000714640879)
———
This episode is brought to you by AUTHOR INSIDER, our exclusive community and learning platform for ambitious creators. What's Inside:
✅ Innovative strategies from bestselling authors and industry experts
✅ Audience growth tactics to expand your readership and revenue
✅ Vibrant creator community for networking and collaboration
✅ Exclusive content not available anywhere else
🎯 Exclusive 25% discount for podcast listeners — join AUTHOR INSIDER today (authorinsider.nextbigideaclub.com/nbifan)
———
Ready to reach 300,000 curious listeners and readers? Promote your brand, book, or product to an audience passionate about big ideas. Request our sponsor kit: https://tally.so/r/wLgkN1
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices)
What if, thanks to AI, you can now research and write a book two, three, or even four times faster? For authors and AI pioneers Steven Johnson (Editorial Director, NotebookLM (notebooklm.google.com/) and Google Labs) and Ethan Mollick (Wharton professor and creator of One Useful Thing (oneusefulthing.org/) ), that's the new reality. In this episode, they crack open their personal toolkits to reveal the prompts and workflows they use to supercharge their creativity.
What you’ll learn:
• How Steven used AI to write 40,000 words in 72 hours.
• The specific AI tools Steven and Ethan rely on for researching and writing.
• Whether AI will ever write better than humans.
• How the very concept of a "book" may morph into an interactive, personalized experience that readers can query, customize, and even turn into a game.
Further listening:
• BILL GATES: Superhuman AI May Be Closer Than You Think (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000660411293)
• SAL KHAN: How AI Will Revolutionize the Way We Learn (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000657266240)
• MARYANNE WOLF: Are We Forgetting How To Read? (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000604460827)
• STEVEN JOHNSON & DAVID CHALMERS: Artificial Intelligence Meets Virtual Worlds (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000621000022)
• ADAM BROTMAN & ANDY SACK: The AI Tsunami Is Already Here (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226?i=1000714640879)
———
This episode is brought to you by AUTHOR INSIDER, our exclusive community and learning platform for ambitious creators. What's Inside:
✅ Innovative strategies from bestselling authors and industry experts
✅ Audience growth tactics to expand your readership and revenue
✅ Vibrant creator community for networking and collaboration
✅ Exclusive content not available anywhere else
🎯 Exclusive 25% discount for podcast listeners — join AUTHOR INSIDER today (authorinsider.nextbigideaclub.com/nbifan)
———
Ready to reach 300,000 curious listeners and readers? Promote your brand, book, or product to an audience passionate about big ideas. Request our sponsor kit: https://tally.so/r/wLgkN1
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices)
