Will AI audiobooks change the fate of voice artists?

Do you remember the calming, soothing, yet intriguing voice of your favourite voice artist? Well, that may soon be a thing of the past as AI is here—all set to take over the audiobook segment. But before we accept this as a reality and move on, let’s ask ourselves a few questions. Questions that will help us understand what AI audiobooks are really about. 

What does this surge in AI audiobooks mean for the age-old tradition of reading aloud? Are we on the brink of a revolution, where AI takes the reins completely, ousting human narrators? Will this change the way we savour stories forever? 

To delve into these very real questions, we need to peel back the layers of AI audiobook and understand how they come to life.

In layman's terms, AI audiobooks are practically a product of the text-to-speech technology. It's honestly something out of Harry Potter (at least for non-tech people): AI takes written words and magically transforms them into spoken, life-like narrations. 

What's truly remarkable is that these AI voices have evolved to the point where they closely resemble genuine human conversation. Yes, that’s fascinating and scary all at the same time.

What should you know about these AI audiobooks? 

Well, they've got some neat perks. Firstly, they are budget-friendly. Let’s understand one thing, AI narrators don't require those payouts—making them a convenient option. And, not to forget, they have the uncanny ability to produce audiobooks at a pace that our human narrators truly can't match.

Plus, AI audiobooks offer a tailored listening experience. Would you prefer a specific voice for your reading journey? Just tap to choose. Got pace or inflection issues? Customise your narration to suit your personal taste! All thanks to AI, you can go ahead and change your audiobook’s setting to your heart's content.

However, let's not make it a point to overlook the flip side. 

One concern is that AI could replace voice artists altogether. This raises apprehensions about job security for many artists, and the risk of losing the unique human touch that infuses audiobooks with their special charm.

Another disquieting thought is how AI might transform the way we immerse ourselves in the narratives. When a human narrator breathes life into a story, it transcends mere words; it becomes an interpretation. Their tone, inflection, and individual nuances contribute to the immersive experience of an audiobook.

In contrast, AI narrators are all about following that script, strictly. They lack the capacity for creative and emotional interpretation, which could result in a less real, somewhat robotic listening experience.

So, what's the verdict on AI audiobooks' future? 

AI is definitely here to stay in the audiobook scene, but it's not (very) likely to elbow out the humans. The true magic unfolds when AI and human narrators collaborate, working in harmonious synergy to craft unforgettable audiobooks.

Hold that thought because here's where things get interesting. Opinions are divided in the experts' corner. Some say AI will eventually steal the spotlight from human narrators, while others believe AI will be the trusty mate, making audiobooks more accessible and exciting.

Interestingly, in a conversation with a renowned publication, David Ciccarelli, CEO of Voices, the largest voiceover marketplace, emphasised the significance of sound sensitivity. He stated, "People are highly sensitive to sound”, with the ear's remarkable fidelity of 20,000 times per second. He also noted the added intimacy when listening to audiobooks with earbuds.

Ciccarelli highlighted the crucial role of narration quality, "Nearly 60 per cent of listeners ditched an audiobook because they didn't enjoy the narrator." He underscored the importance of human storytelling and timing, which AI struggles to replicate.

He also acknowledged the challenges in making AI voices sound human and connect with listeners, noting AI's difficulty in mimicking human timing. Then Ciccarelli went ahead and mentioned the variation in narration pace and the handling of language nuances as hurdles for AI.

Despite the challenges, big players like Apple, Amazon, and Google are diving into the AI human-voice clone game for audiobooks. It shows just how significant the potential of AI audiobooks is. The question of whether AI will steal the spotlight or graciously share it with human narrators is a narrative that is yet to fully unfold. Although, one thing is certain—AI is here to stay and will forever change the way we indulge in our beloved audiobooks.