WGGB responds to Audible AI plans

Amazon-owned Audible announced this week that they are to use AI technology to produce audiobooks.

Audible plans to use AI technology to narrate audiobooks, with AI translation to follow.

The audiobook provider has said it will be making its AI production technology available to certain publishers via “select partnerships”.

In response to the developments, WGGB Books Chair Simon Guerrier said:

“AI narration and production of audiobooks means a worse product for listeners. Despite improvements in artificial speech, it still sounds odd and jarring, especially at any length, which means we can’t lose ourselves in the story being told.

“AI narration and production of audiobooks is also bad for the creative industry. A good audiobook requires a skilled reader and production team to bring out the nuance and meaning, creating a direct connection with the listener. That skilled work is worth paying for.

“And AI narration and production is bad for the people who use it to produce audiobooks: they produce a worse product, don’t develop their own skills and serve only to add to the squeeze affecting the publishing world more generally.”

You can find out about WGGB’s work around AI, including how you can get involved, here.