Audible plans to offer "end-to-end" AI production technology—including translation and narration—to publishers for creating audiobooks. The company stated it will collaborate with publishers to use AI throughout the entire audiobook production process. Audible explained it will "combine its experience producing audio stories with Amazon’s AI technology" to produce audiobooks. In the coming months, publishers interested in this approach will have the option to select one of two production paths. Publishers can either allow Audible to manage the full audiobook production—from initial text ingestion to the final published audiobook—for selected titles; or they can opt for a self-service production model where they access the same AI technology but oversee their own production independently. Audible added that publishers will have access to over 100 AI-generated voices in English, Spanish, French, and Italian, featuring multiple accents and dialects through both options. Furthermore, they can utilize voice upgrades for their titles as the technology evolves. Bob Carrigan, Audible’s chief executive officer, stated: "Audible believes that AI represents a momentous opportunity to expand audiobook availability, aiming to offer customers every book in every language, alongside ongoing investments in premium original content.

This will enable us to bring more stories to life—helping creators reach new audiences and ensuring listeners worldwide can enjoy extraordinary books that might otherwise never be heard. " Continued. . . In addition to production, Audible will offer audiobook translation services currently in beta testing and set to launch later this year. Initial language support will include English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. Publishers can choose human review by professional linguists "to ensure translation accuracy and cultural nuance" and will also have the opportunity to review translations themselves. Audible will provide two translation methods: text-to-text translation for manuscripts (after which publishers can select professional or AI narration), and speech-to-speech translation that preserves the original narrator’s voice and style across different languages. The company emphasized: "As we develop our AI narration and translation capabilities, Audible remains committed to collaborating closely with authors, narrators, and publishers to ensure these technologies meet creative and business requirements, while maintaining the quality standards our listeners expect. Our roadmap includes expanding language, accent, and unique character performance options to serve diverse global audiences and unlock new creative possibilities. " Following the announcement, an audiobook publisher told The Bookseller: "Labeling will be crucial, and discoverability will be challenging unless consumers are given better tools to distinguish between AI and human narration. "I’m also unclear if or how those using AI narration can distribute that output across all retailers, but the translation feature is truly fascinating. This represents a new frontier for audio. " However, they cautioned that "publishers will be cautious about flooding the market with ‘lower quality product’ and potentially undermining audiobook value in the eyes of consumers. " Publishers interested in AI narration and translation can contact their Audible representatives for further information.