Google has launched a new AI-powered meeting note-taking application designed to run entirely on-device, positioning it as a direct alternative to established tools like Granola. The app, called Google AI Edge Foresight, comes from the same internal team that released an AI-driven dictation tool earlier in April - one that also relied on local models rather than cloud processing.

The application is built for macOS and is optimized specifically for Apple Silicon hardware. It leverages an on-device model called EmbeddingGemma 2, which carries 740 million parameters, to capture and process meeting notes without requiring an internet connection. This offline-first architecture means users can continue working with their notes while traveling or in environments where connectivity is limited or unavailable.

A Familiar Interface With Added Depth

In terms of design and functionality, Google AI Edge Foresight draws clear comparisons to Granola, the AI note-taker that has built a following among professionals who want a lightweight, intelligent meeting companion. Like Granola, Google's app features a split-screen layout: one side is reserved for the user's own shorthand or manual notes, while the other side displays AI-generated notes produced in real time.

Users can also view a full transcript of any meeting directly within the app. Beyond passive note capture, the application includes a conversational assistant powered by Gemma 4, allowing users to ask questions and retrieve specific information from their notes or related documents after a meeting concludes.

Knowledge Base Integration

One feature that sets Google AI Edge Foresight apart from simpler note-taking tools is its ability to build a personal knowledge base from uploaded documents. The app supports a wide range of file formats, including PDFs, Google Docs, Microsoft Office files, plain text, Markdown documents, and web bookmarks. Once these materials are ingested, the app can reference them during live meetings - surfacing relevant answers in real time when a topic tied to that data arises in conversation.

This combination of live transcription, manual note-taking, and document-aware question answering gives the app a more layered functionality than many competing tools currently offer in a fully offline environment.

Showcasing On-Device AI Capabilities

Google's earlier AI dictation tool, released by the same team, remained experimental and did not transition into a mainstream product. Google AI Edge Foresight may follow a similar path, functioning primarily as a demonstration of what the company's Gemma series of on-device models is capable of rather than serving as a finished consumer application.

That said, the groundwork being laid here could inform a broader consumer release. Google already has the infrastructure to build a meeting note-taker that integrates with video calling platforms through its Gemini ecosystem, relying on cloud-based models to extend functionality beyond what local hardware can handle. Whether that product materializes remains to be seen, but the technical foundation is clearly being tested.

A Crowded but Active Market

The meeting note-taking space has grown increasingly competitive over the past year, with a steady stream of new entrants and acquisitions reshaping the landscape. Despite the saturation, companies continue to invest in the category, suggesting sustained demand from professionals who want more intelligent ways to capture and act on meeting content.

In recent months, Wispr, a company known for its AI dictation tools, launched its own note-taking product. Calendly, primarily recognized as a scheduling platform, also moved into the space with its own meeting notes feature. On the acquisition front, productivity startup Superhuman - formerly operating under the Grammarly brand - acquired Fathom, a Y Combinator-backed AI note-taker, last month, signaling continued consolidation in the sector.

Google's entry into this space, even in an experimental capacity, adds further weight to the argument that AI-assisted meeting capture is becoming a standard expectation rather than a premium add-on. How the company chooses to evolve Google AI Edge Foresight - whether as a standalone product, a feature within a larger platform, or simply a proving ground for its on-device model capabilities - will be worth watching in the months ahead.