AI Audio Books Dominating the Sonic Landscape of Tomorrow
In the ever-evolving world of literature, a significant shift is underway as major audiobook publishing and distribution platforms, including Apple, Audible, Google, and Spotify, are embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for end-to-end audiobook production.
This leap forward was first signalled in 2021 when Google Play Books introduced an AI narration service. Fast forward to 2023, and Apple joined the fray with the launch of its AI-narrated audiobook catalogue. Even Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has hopped on the bandwagon, introducing a beta feature late last year that allows authors to create AI-narrated audiobooks.
The move towards AI narration is driven by a desire to broaden access to audiobooks and reduce costs. In 2024, the audiobook industry experienced a 13% increase in sales, reaching $2.22 billion. However, audiobook production by major publishers can cost between $50,000 and $100,000 per month, making audiobooks more expensive than ebooks. This high cost has been a barrier for many authors and publishers, particularly midsize and smaller ones.
AI narration offers a cost-effective solution to this problem. It is generally more affordable than hiring professional narrators, making it attractive for projects with limited budgets or frequent content updates. Additionally, AI can generate voiceovers in minutes, enabling rapid production and easy script edits without needing to re-record.
However, the current advantages and disadvantages of using AI for audiobook narration compared to professional narrators are apparent. While AI offers diverse voices, tones, and languages, including the potential to overcome language barriers with real-time translation, it still falls short of the emotional richness and uniqueness of human narration. AI voices can sound robotic or lack the emotional depth and expressiveness that professional narrators provide, reducing listener engagement and the immersive experience of audiobooks.
This concern is shared by many in the industry, including Kristin Atherton, a narrator of over 400 audiobooks, who believes AI cannot replicate the intricacies of human narration. Stephen Briggs, a voice over artist, and Emily Ellet, an actor and audiobook narrator, have also expressed similar sentiments.
Despite these concerns, the technology is rapidly advancing. Companies like ElevenLabs are developing platforms that allow authors to narrate their audiobooks in 29 languages, with control over voice and intonation. Spotify, however, is taking a more cautious approach, stating that their aim is to broaden access to audiobooks by using AI narration, but they recognise the importance of human narration for its artistic qualities and authenticity.
In 2025, Audible is unveiling a new set of tools for select publishers, using AI for end-to-end audiobook production. They are also developing translations from English to Spanish, French, Italian, and German for AI-driven audiobooks.
As the audiobook market continues to grow, with the global market projected to reach $10 billion in 2025 and $35.05 billion by 2030, it remains to be seen how the balance between AI and human narration will shift. What is certain is that the future of audiobook production is an exciting blend of technology and artistry.
Michael Kozlowski, editor-in-chief at a platform that writes about audiobooks and e-readers, has been following this development for the past fifteen years. He writes for various newspapers and websites, including the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times. His insights provide a valuable perspective on this evolving landscape.
- As technology advancements continue, AI is increasingly being used in the production of audiobooks, exemplified by Google Play Books' 2021 introduction of AI narration and Apple's 2023 launch of an AI-narrated audiobook catalogue.
- In the realm of books and entertainment, the adoption of AI narration offers cost-effective solutions, particularly for midsize and smaller publishers and authors, who can create AI-narrated audiobooks using services like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing beta feature.
- The future of audiobook narration is expected to be a blend of technology and artistry, with AI providing diverse voices, tones, and languages, and human narrators offering emotional richness and uniqueness. For instance, companies like ElevenLabs are developing platforms that allow authors to narrate their audiobooks in multiple languages with control over voice and intonation.
