*Open Source Alternative to NotebookLM: SurfSense*

For teams looking for a more collaborative and customizable research environment, SurfSense offers a promising open-source alternative to NotebookLM. This self-hosted platform integrates with various Large Language Models (LLMs) and internal knowledge sources, enabling teams to chat, comment, and collaborate in real-time.

*Key Features*

SurfSense boasts a robust set of features, including:

Self-hostability*: SurfSense can be deployed using Docker, giving teams complete control over their research environment.

External Connectors*: The platform supports over 25 external connectors, including popular services like Google Drive, Slack, Teams, Jira, Notion, GitHub, and Discord.

Real-time Collaboration*: Teams can engage in group chats, comment on research, and collaborate on projects in real-time.

LLM Integration*: SurfSense supports over 100 LLMs and 6,000+ embedding models, making it an attractive option for teams working with various AI models.

File Format Support*: The platform supports 50+ file formats, including Docling and local parsing options.

Video and Presentation Generation*: SurfSense can generate videos and editable presentations, making it an ideal tool for research teams.

RBAC Roles*: The platform includes Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) features, allowing teams to manage permissions and access levels.

*Contributor Opportunities*

The SurfSense project is actively seeking contributors with expertise in AI agents, RAG, search, browser extensions, and open-source research tooling. If you're interested in contributing to the project, you can reach out to the development team.

*Upcoming Features*

A desktop and mobile app are currently in development, submitted by the SurfSense community member /u/Uiqueblhats. This will further enhance the platform's accessibility and usability.

In conclusion, SurfSense offers a compelling open-source alternative to NotebookLM, providing teams with a customizable and collaborative research environment. Its extensive feature set, self-hostability, and support for various LLMs and file formats make it an attractive option for teams looking to streamline their research workflow.