What to know

  • Audible is giving publishers new AI tools to create audiobooks more quickly.
  • The AI can generate audiobook narration, helping publishers expand their catalogs.
  • This technology could make more books available in audio format, especially for smaller publishers.
  • Some concerns remain about the impact on human narrators and audiobook quality.

Audible, the audiobook platform owned by Amazon, is now offering artificial intelligence tools to publishers. These tools allow publishers to create audiobooks faster by using AI-generated narration. The goal is to help publishers produce more audiobooks and make them available to listeners more quickly.

With these new AI tools, publishers can turn written books into audio versions without waiting for a human narrator. This can be especially helpful for smaller publishers who may not have the resources to hire professional voice actors for every title. By using AI, they can expand their audiobook catalogs and reach more readers in less time.

The technology works by generating a synthetic voice that reads the text of the book. Publishers can choose from different AI voices and adjust the style to fit the book’s tone. This process is much faster than traditional audiobook production, which can take weeks or months.

However, some people are concerned about the impact of AI narration on human narrators. Professional voice actors bring emotion and personality to audiobooks, and there are worries that AI voices may not match that quality. There are also questions about how listeners will respond to synthetic narration and whether it will affect the overall experience.

Despite these concerns, Audible’s move could make a large number of books available in audio format for the first time. This could benefit readers who prefer listening to books and help publishers reach new audiences. As the technology improves, it may become a common tool in the publishing industry.