AI-Narrated Audiobooks: A Boone or a Bust?

A couple of weeks ago, I received the following email from KDP: "Congratulations! You're invited to participate in KDP's beta for audiobooks. Starting today, you can now produce audiobook versions of your eligible eBooks using virtual voice narration and reach new customers by making them available on Amazon, Audible, and Alexa Customers..."

Since then, I've been pondering the question: Are AI-narrated audiobooks a boon or a bust?

The use of AI narration for producing audiobooks has distinct economic advantages. On the positive side, AI narration significantly reduces the cost of audiobook production, making it more accessible for independent authors and smaller publishers. It also allows for quick turnaround times, enabling authors to create audiobooks in days rather than months. Furthermore, AI voices can be highly customizable, allowing authors to choose voices that match the tone and genre of their book.

Let’s be realistic: Many authors already use AI to some extent. Some obtain images from sources like Pixabay and Flickr, where many are now labeled AI-produced. At least a few bloggers I follow have posted about using ChatGPT as a writing aid. And now I'm using an artificial voice with a British accent to read one of my novels. Artificial voice assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa have been around for at least a decade and have been in development for even longer. Just like so many things that have become obsolete or were radically altered by technology this development did not pop up overnight but has been on the horizon for some time now and AI is not going to disappear.

There are concerns regarding AI narration's quality and emotional depth. Although artificial voices have improved and can produce almost natural-sounding narration, they still sometimes struggle to convey the emotional nuances a human narrator can provide. This limitation can negatively impact the listening experience, especially in genres that require significant emotional engagement. Additionally, readers may associate "narrated by AI" with a lower-quality product, leading to perceptions of less professional.

Another concern is the potential impact on human narrators. As AI narration becomes more common, there is a risk that professional narrators may lose opportunities. However, this shift could also lead to new and innovative roles within the audiobook industry, enhancing its potential and inspiring a forward-thinking approach.

Ultimately, the decision to use AI narration and under what circumstances is a personal one, and should be made with careful consideration of the potential benefits and drawbacks. As for me, I decided to give it a whirl and turn my award-winning debut novel, IN THE SHADOW OF HER MAJESTY, into an audiobook utilizing Audible Virtual Voice Studio. It's an experiment, and I'm filled with excitement and anticipation to see where it takes me.

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads