Would you want to listen to an audiobook being read by an AI narrator?
Polls
11th January 2023
TECH giant Apple has released a series of audiobooks that are narrated (read out) by artificial intelligence (AI).
Those using the Apple Books app can search for ‘AI Narration’ to find a list of books that are read aloud by a “digital voice based on a human narrator”, similar to the technology used by the company’s own voice-based AI assistant, Siri.
Both Amazon and Google have said that they’re creating their own AI narrators, but Apple is the first major company to start selling AI-voiced audiobooks.
Experts say that if the AI-voiced audiobooks are successful, we could quickly see lots of books being made into audiobooks with AI.
It’s much quicker than using a human voice, which can take weeks and costs a lot of money.
We listened to an example of the AI voice, and while the books are read clearly, the AI struggles with pausing naturally, and sentences can sound strange.
Answer the poll below, and tell us the reason for your vote in a comment to be featured in First News!
13 Comments
splashy10 · 2 years ago
I know what an AI voice sounds like and it struggles with pausing so it is really annoying when you are trying to make sense of it. I think it’s better with a human voice.
aces10 · 2 years ago
At the moment, the voices of most AI, for example Alexa, doesn’t sound like a natural human voice, with more pauses in between words. I definitely wouldn’t want to listen to this, as audiobooks are meant to be relaxing to listen to. I mean, who would want Siri reading them a book? When technology advances, however, maybe.
aces10 · 2 years ago
First to comment!
15645 · 2 years ago
I don't know why it would probably be exactly the same I guess. As long as they don't let you know and that it doesn't sound roboty it would be fine . I just don't like the idea
dolphin26 · 2 years ago
I think that would be cool, especially as using and AI voice costs less money and less time.
candyapple · 2 years ago
I don't really know. Would I be able to tell? As long as it sounds human, I don't mind. But it would be a bit freaky being read to by a robotic voice.
eleran · 2 years ago
It would be amazing to have a faster way to listen to audio books. It would need to be improved first by the manufacturer's to make sure it sounds as realistic as possible. This way it would also save people time!
scarlet10 · 2 years ago
i find listening to a robot really clunky and the sentence doesn't just flow.young children may be listing to an audiobook and they might start picking up that way of talking
fatdogslim · 2 years ago
No! it would freak me out especially if it's before bed.
annalls · 2 years ago
It kind of depends what the voice sounds like, but I voted no.
tiger.star · 2 years ago
AI can sound unnatural when reading aloud, so I wouldn't choose it.
ninja_don · 2 years ago
If it is one of the better AI voices it really doesn’t matter
mothstar · 2 years ago
I agree splashy10