AI Audiobooks Can't Replicate Humanity or Emotion

As an avid audiobook listener, I have enjoyed listening to beloved stories and evocative readings and performances by the likes of Stephen Fry, Joanne Froggatt, Thandiwe Newton, and so many other iconic actors from the stage and screen. Thanks to audiobooks – be they physical CDs or an audio app – stories are much more accessible to modern readers. Stories have always been integral to my life and have evolved into listening to full-cast audio productions.

Actors have the incredible ability to bring a story to life, evoking emotion and delivering a nuanced performance of the text before them. Voice actors can interpret and reimagine how dialogue is read, a scene is described, or the tension of a scene. This is why this new emergence of A.I. audiobooks defeats the purpose of what makes a good storyteller.

On July 2nd, Playbill announced that an A.I. audio company has acquired the rights to the voices of Hollywood legends. This means that favourite stage and screen stars from the past may soon have new content released. The company, ElevenLabs, has made agreements with the estates of Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Laurence Olivier to use A.I. versions of their iconic voices in their Reader App. This app allows users to listen to digital text from articles, PDFs, ebooks, and more.

A new trailer has been released featuring an AI version of Garland reading an excerpt from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The AI's voice sounds eerily similar to Garland's portrayal of Dorothy Gale in the 1930 film adaptation. However, there are strict restrictions on what these AI voices can read, and it's clear that the AI can't fully replicate how Garland would have narrated an audiobook if she were alive today. Unfortunately, we will never be able to hear Garland reprising her role or returning to Oz in real life. But that’s a part of life. However, it’s worth noting that this decision has been approved by Garland’s family among the other estates of the actors mentioned.

"It's exciting to see our mother's voice available to the countless millions of people who love her," says Liza Minnelli, daughter of Judy Garland, in a statement as a representative of the Garland Estate. "Through the spectacular new technology offered by ElevenLabs, our family believes that this will bring new fans to Mama, and be exciting to those who already cherish the unparalleled legacy that Mama gave and continues to give to the world."

As ElevenLabs expands its voice library, I want to express my opinion on the decision to replicate the voices of deceased talent. While I understand that the estates have approved this, I personally cannot support this choice. I believe there are already talented actors lending their voices to audiobooks, and I feel that there are numerous options on Audible to experience stories like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz through readings or full-cast radio dramas. For instance, listeners can enjoy the story narrated by award-winning actress Anne Hathaway.

Listening to an audiobook is more than words being recited off a page. The narration literally gives a voice to the characters and stories you’re experiencing. The words are given life and humanity, evoking emotions from the listener. That cannot be replicated by a computer. Words can be repeated, sure. But can they understand the meaning of the prose or the subtext of a character’s internal conflict and what’s not being said?

The short and simple answer is no. Another perspective I agree with is the analysis of this seen through The Oz Vlog. In conclusion, a voice actor’s performance will always surpass an AI's. There’s no doubt about that. However, the increasing presence of AI in various aspects of our lives is becoming more worrisome. Many people enjoy using AI for fun trivia or even writing assistance, which is absolutely fine. However, the true way to experience the talent of Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Laurence Olivier is through their filmography. And if you are looking for a reading of your favourite story with brains, heart and courage, thousands of brilliant audiobooks are waiting to be heard.