Because of my eyestrain I listen to a lot of audible books. I was surprised when I started my last one to hear the narrator say,
This title is narrated with Virtual Voice, computer-generated narration for audio books.
I noticed afterwards that Amazon had mentioned it:
I was concerned it might be distracting, but in fact the narration is pleasant and clear. It’s easier to listen to and understand than some of my other audio books. Good for them!
August 12, 2025
That may be true, but I can’t help but think of the people out of a job. 🙁
We’ll have to see. There are a lot of books that don’t have narration that might be converted now.
It won’t be long before AI is taking over everything
It’s going to change things a lot.
I would be concerned that we would relate less to “real” voices.
I don’t know how much they will use it. I was surprised.
I’ve noticed listened to an AI voice as of yet, but I might have to give it a try. I do listen to a lot of podcast though
I’m curious to see how much audible uses it.
I’ve also listened to a few AI produced audio books and was pleasantly surprised by how good they were compared to the pronunciation on AI YouTube stories (which I think were AI written). Side note: the AI stories all seem to be about family members taking advantage of each other and the retribution that follows or in the “historic old west” with female abuse or servitude.
I hope AI doesn’t end the job market for human narrators but just expands the number of works available on audio. Books that might not have been seen as having a big enough fan base to warrant the investment in an audio format.
That’s what I’m hoping too. Thank you for the information.
…soon people will have no place in society.
We’ll have to see.
I don’t like the idea, either. People are becoming redundant.
It’s going to be chaotic.
Interesting. I hadn’t heard of this.
🙂
Interesting! I’ve not listened to an audio book for some time now, in large part due to the narrator’s voice/tone. (Isn’t that silly?)
I want to check out these virtual voices and see if that doesn’t make a difference.
Please let us know what you think.
Well, I am with Rita and most of the gang – I am concerned with AI reading and people losing their jobs. What is going to happen at the end of all this. I heard this morning that AI is praying for people. That is just sad and crazy.
It’s going to be a major disruption. There will be a lot of changes in the next few years.
Technology is sure amazing these days!
Yes, it’s mind-boggling.
Interesting! I would have thought it would sound kind of like a robot! Did it express emotion of any kind? Was it a man or woman?
It was a man with an English accent, and it was a nonfiction book so no emotion was needed. And it was easy to listen to.
I agree with the person who thought AI read books might result in more audio selections.
Yes. That’s what I’m hoping for.
I have gotten to where I really enjoy audio books. I listened to them while I walk the dogs. I haven’t heard a “virtual voice” yet, but maybe one of these days . .
I would prefer to read instead of listen, but my eyes have always limited me.
I’ll have to ask Judy, who has just begun sampling audio books.
Please let us know.
Interesting and less jobs for narrators
I hope the narrators still have their fans. I also hope companies create more audible versions of books.