Apple Quietly Rolls Out AI-Narrated Audiobooks

Apple has quietly rolled out a brand new “digital narration” characteristic for its audiobooks in a transfer that would make human narrator jobs out of date. The firm had meant to launch the AI-narrated audiobook characteristic on its Books app in mid-November however according to The Guardian, these plans had been delayed amidst Elon Musk’s chaotic Twitter takeover and layoffs at Meta dominated headlines.

The Books app now features a assortment of AI-narrated books which considerably cuts prices for ebook publishers who sometimes make investments hundreds of {dollars} to supply audiobooks. Apple says on its Books for Authors website that the brand new characteristic will assist promote independently revealed authors. These authors spend money on the creation of their very own books both by way of self-publishing or hybrid publishing through which the writer works with a ebook writer whereas financially investing in advertising and manufacturing.

Apple didn’t instantly reply to Gizmodo’s request for remark.

Apple approached unbiased publishers within the U.S. and Canada, asking if they’d be curious about a possible partnership, requiring those that agreed to signal non-disclosure agreements which is widespread inside the tech trade, The Guardian first reported.

Authors who agreed to have their work changed into an audiobook had been reportedly advised they’d pay for the price of manufacturing however would obtain royalties from their audiobook gross sales.

Audiobook reputation has surged in recent times however firms have struggled to maintain up with the excessive demand and the elevated variety of books being revealed. According to The Guardian, audiobook gross sales elevated by 25% final yr, bringing in additional than $1.5 billion to the audiobook market. The trade is anticipated to achieve $33.5 billion in general income this yr.

Apple’s Books for Authors web site says bringing AI narration to revealed works helps authors “meet the growing demand by making more books available for listeners to enjoy.”

The AI-narrated characteristic is at present solely out there for fiction and romance books and presents two voices, Madison and Jackson, for the listener to select from. Apple additionally says on its web site that it’s kicking off its AI narration for non-fiction and self-development genres, providing two AI-generated voices, Helena and Mitchell.

However, the addition has acquired criticism from some publishing firms who say listeners need an genuine human voice that gives inflections and tones that AI software program cannot generate.

Canadian literary agent, Carly Watters advised The Guardian that AI-narrated books don’t make sense from a literary or listener perspective, saying “It’s not what customers want to listen to.” The general worth, she stated, far outweighs the fee that goes into human-narrated audiobooks.