For Actuarial Analysts ·
What you'll accomplish
Somewhere in a methodology document, a paragraph describes how lapse rates are applied by duration. Finding it, then finding out whether the model documentation says the same thing, can take an afternoon. Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) answers from the documents you add and shows citations, so you can open the passage it relied on. When two documents disagree, you take the question to the reviewing actuary. The notebook never settles it.
What you'll need
Data caution. Methodology documents are company material. Whether you may add them depends on your company's AI policy and on whether Gemini Notebook is an approved tool for that kind of document. Google's Workspace page states that uploaded sources are not used for model training and stay private unless you share the notebook. Confirm that this applies to your account type, and ask IT if unsure. Keep data extracts, results tables and anything tied to a person out of the notebook. If you cannot use company documents, use public syllabus readings you are licensed to use, or two short invented documents.
Fewer, cleaner sources give better citations.
What you should see: A short list of files you are cleared to use. Troubleshooting: If a document mixes method text with results tables, ask the owner for a version with the method text only.
What you should see: Each document listed in a sources panel with its name. Troubleshooting: If a PDF is a scan of paper, the notebook may not read it. Use a text version.
Ask where something is described, not what the answer should be.
Where does the documentation describe how lapse rates are applied by duration? Quote the passage and name the document it comes from.
What you should see: An answer with numbered citations that link to passages in your sources. Troubleshooting: If the answer has no citations, rephrase to ask for a quote from the sources. If the sources do not cover the question, the notebook should say so. Treat any answer without a citation as unusable.
Ask for differences in wording, not a ruling.
Do the methodology document and the model documentation describe lapse rate application in the same way? List each point where they differ, quoting both passages.
What you should see: A list of matching and differing points, each with citations to both documents. Troubleshooting: If it reports no differences, ask a narrower question about one element, such as the order of steps or the name of an input.
What you should see: The source open at the cited passage. Troubleshooting: If the quoted text differs from what the notebook summarized, use the source text and discard the summary.
When two documents disagree, note both passages and the document versions. Send them to the reviewing actuary or the document owner. Do not decide which document is right, and do not treat the notebook's answer as the tiebreaker.
Google's page says Gemini Notebook does not currently keep a history of questions and responses in chat, and that you can save notes by pinning a response. Pin the answers you want, then copy the quoted passage and document name into your own notes.
Find a definition
Where is the term "in-force block" defined in these sources? Quote the definition and name the document.
Locate an input
Which document describes the source of the expense inputs, and what does it say?
Exam readings (licensed material only)
Using only these readings, list the section headings that cover [topic], with a one-line description of each. Confirm the official syllabus on the exam body's own website.
Gaps
What topics does the model documentation mention but never explain? Quote the mention.