AI, Audiobooks, and a Whole Lot of Feelings

AI, Audiobooks, and a Whole Lot of Feelings: A Love Letter to the Human Voice

After witnessing the reaction by some of our clients, colleagues, and the general public online with a heady mix of confusion, frustration, disappointment, and, in some cases, full-blown fury sparked by Audible’s recent press release offering publishers end-to-end AI narration, we decided it was time to speak up. 

So, like any modern-day spicy Voiceover Agent I started a petition. A polite but passionate plea to Audible: please don’t forget the humans. The real ones. With hearts and vocal cords.

To Audible’s credit, they responded swiftly and constructively. A team from their side reached out, and we had a thoughtful conversation. They assured us that this new AI option will only be offered to a select group of publishers, as a choice not as a replacement. In fact, they reiterated their continued commitment to human narrators and even hinted at plans to increase production using real, breathing human voice actors. (Cue cautious optimism and possibly a celebratory biscuit.)

We’re not anti-technology at HV Towers. We love a bit of innovation. Some of us even talk to our smart speakers like they’re flatmates but while AI has its place we believe storytelling, real storytelling belongs in the hands (and throats) of humans. An algorithm can mimic tone and replicate rhythm but can it understand the subtext? Sarcasm? The quiet power of a pause? The emotional gut-punch of a well-timed breath? We’re not convinced. And if you’ve ever heard an AI clone try to do a Scottish accent, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

At Harvey Voices we represent award winning actors and narrators who breathe life into stories, who make listeners laugh, cry, and occasionally miss their train stop because they just have to hear how the chapter ends. 

We champion powerful, diverse, and authentic performances that do more than convey words​, they connect us.

We’re encouraged by Audible’s willingness to engage in dialogue and their continued investment in human narration. We hope they will walk with us and our extraordinarily talented voice artists into a future where innovation and artistry go hand in hand, not head to head. To everyone who signed the petition, shared it, or sent us a virtual high five: thank you. Your voices matter. Literally!

Em x

For any audiobook enquiries email: Louise@harveyvoices.co.uk 

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