Google releases offline AI note-taking app Google AI Edge Foresight

TechCrunch reported that Google AI Edge Foresight uses the on-device EmbeddingGemma 2 model, which has 740 million parameters. It is designed to capture meeting notes across apps, including in-person meetings, and can work completely offline. On its FAQ page, Google said the app is optimized for Apple Silicon and can be used when traveling or in places without an internet connection, according to TechCrunch.

The app follows a split-screen layout similar to Granola, TechCrunch reported. Users can write shorthand notes on one side while AI-generated notes appear on the other. Like Granola, Foresight lets users take manual notes while it transcribes a meeting. Users can also view the meeting transcript or chat with a Gemma 4-powered assistant to get answers, TechCrunch reported. The Verge reported that the built-in assistant can answer questions about what has been heard, and that users can connect local files for the assistant to reference. Google said files, meeting audio and notes never leave the computer, according to The Verge.

TechCrunch reported that users can upload documents including PDFs, Google Docs, Microsoft Office formats, plain text, Markdown and web bookmarks to build a knowledge base. Using meeting notes and documents, the app can answer questions in real time if a point related to data in the knowledge base comes up. The Verge described the app as experimental and said it turns shorthand bullet points into polished notes based on information in the transcript.

Google earlier released an AI-powered dictation tool that worked with local models in April, TechCrunch reported. That tool was experimental and did not reach mainstream usage, while the new note-taker could showcase the ability of Google's Gemma series of offline models, according to TechCrunch. TechCrunch also reported that Google could release a consumer version of a meeting note-taker that works across video calling apps through its Gemini apps while relying on cloud models.

The meeting note-taker market is competitive. TechCrunch reported that dictation company Wispr and scheduling company Calendly released their own note-takers in recent months, and that productivity startup Superhuman, formerly Grammarly, acquired YC-backed note-taker Fathom last month.