Notion 3.0 Rolls Out Notion Agent and Custom Agents for Research, Writing, and Workflow Automation

Notion's New AI Agent: What It Means For Writers Who Work Fast

Notion is rolling out a built-in AI called Notion Agent that can research topics, draft documents, and build or update databases on command. Akshay Kothari, Notion's cofounder and COO, says the goal is simple: let the AI handle the busywork so you can focus on the thinking and the voice only you can bring.

In a live demo, Notion Agent pulled product feedback from multiple sources, produced a cited report with actionable recommendations, and spun up a database of articles from a news site. It can also assign tasks at project kickoff and update a knowledge base as new info arrives.

What the Agent Can Access

• Data from the web and your existing Notion workspace
• Connected tools like Slack, Zendesk, and Google Drive
• All actions respect permissions and security settings

Once content is generated, you can edit directly or ask the AI to refine tone, structure, or detail. Most teams will offload the heavy lift, then add the human finish.

Why Writers Should Care

If your work depends on research, briefs, drafts, and clean handoffs, Notion Agent compresses timelines. It gives you a first pass you're not embarrassed to ship, backed by sources you can audit.

• Faster research: aggregate sources, quotes, and citations into a living page
• Better drafts: generate outlines, content briefs, and long-form drafts you can revise
• Editorial ops: spin up databases for sources, story ideas, deadlines, and status
• Team flow: auto-assign tasks, request approvals, and log decisions in one place

Customizable Personas for Your Voice

The AI is configurable. Choose a persona like "sidekick" or "analyst," or rewrite the agent's profile so it mirrors your style, audience, and formatting rules. You can set how it cites sources, how formal it sounds, and how it handles uncertainty.

Practical Workflows For Busy Writers

• Weekly pitch pipeline: the agent compiles trends from selected sites, builds a sourced ideas list, and assigns draft slots.
• Content brief generator: feed goals, reader profile, and target keywords; get a brief with angle, structure, and sources.
• Interview prep: pull background, quotes, and prior coverage into a single doc with links and suggested questions.
• Draft + revision loop: ask for a 1,200-word draft in your preferred style; request a tighter lead, stronger transitions, and specific CTAs.
• Source database: auto-create entries for every cited link with author, date, pull-quote, and reliability notes.

Custom Agents: Set It and Let It Run

Notion is also testing Custom Agents-task-specific bots that run on a schedule or respond to triggers. Think: update a coverage database daily, or respond to Slack inquiries with a policy doc and route edge cases to an editor.

These agents can be configured with instructions you write-or with help from the general Notion Agent. Early data shows they drive heavier usage because they act without waiting for a prompt.

Privacy, Control, and Collaboration

Notion Agent adheres to your workspace permissions and linked-app settings. That means it can't see what it's not allowed to see, and its actions are constrained by your setup.

For teams, this reduces friction: the AI can fetch what it's permitted to fetch, log changes, and keep your editorial workflow clean.

Quick Start Checklist

• Define your agent profile: voice, tone, citation rules, and "don't do" list.
• Connect integrations you trust (Slack, Google Drive, Zendesk) with clear permissions.
• Create standard templates: research hub, brief, draft, and promo checklist.
• Pilot one Custom Agent: daily research digest, idea bank refresh, or status sync.
• Measure impact: time saved per draft, revision count, and publish cadence.

Bottom Line

For writers, the advantage is speed and structure without sacrificing voice. Let the agent collect, organize, and draft; you refine, decide, and ship.

Learn more: Check the official overview of Notion AI features at Notion AI. If you want structured training and tool roundups for writing workflows, explore AI tools for copywriting.