AI-narrated books are becoming more prevalent, raising questions about the future of human narrators. With AI technology improving, more audiobooks are being narrated by AI. This development prompts discussions about the potential impact on human narrators' job security. 

Cutting-Edge Approach to AI Narration

Yembo, a San Diego-based software company, is pioneering a novel approach to compensate human actors for AI-enhanced labor. This approach has garnered attention and interest from voice actors in San Diego and beyond. Zach Rattner, co-founder of Yembo, authored a book about AI and had an actor, Hailey Hansard, record the English audiobook.

AI technology was used to clone Hailey's voice for narrating 15 translations of the audiobook, including languages she does not speak. Despite not recording the translations herself, Hailey will receive royalties for audiobooks in her voice, thanks to her contract with Yembo.

This innovative contract ensures that Hansard will receive royalties for all audiobooks in their voice, even those they did not directly narrate. While AI narration is not new, this may be the first instance where royalties are paid for AI-cloned translations in the audiobook industry.

Sandra Conde, a San Diego actor involved in a generative AI gaming project, noted that the contract addresses the concerns of publishers and voice actors in an uncertain and rapidly evolving landscape.

Perspectives From Industry Experts

Tim Friedlander, president of the National Association of Voice Actors, considered the contract significant as it allows for human narration to coexist with AI-generated content, showcasing a shifting landscape in the audiobook industry.

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Robert Sciglimpaglia, a voice actor and entertainment attorney, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the contract. He highlighted the absence of established guidelines from actors' unions regarding AI translation.

The contract reflected a significant issue in the audiobook industry: the balance between human and AI narration, with narrators seeking to protect their livelihoods. Sciglimpaglia believes that AI will inevitably replace human narrators, raising questions about the extent of its impact on the industry.

AI narration is cost-effective and efficient, but some voiced worry about the lack of human touch and emotion that human narrators provide. Critics feared this could reduce the quality of the listener's experience.

Stephan Lendi, a voice actor, stressed that voice technology intensifies job competition as numerous mundane tasks are supplanted by AI-generated voices. As remote work becomes more common, virtual communication platforms facilitate real-time collaboration across distances. According to Lendi, projecting vocal presence is crucial in this setting, requiring intentional efforts such as maintaining good posture and using clear speech.

Audience engagement and rapport-building depend on empathy, active listening, and vocal expression, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and practical communication skills. Learning to leverage vocal potential is essential for success in business and personal interactions in this evolving landscape.

Friedlander emphasized the unique abilities of human actors to convey nuance and emotion that machines cannot replicate. Rattner explained that while AI offers efficiency and cost-effectiveness, there are still elements of human narration that AI cannot match. He opted to use a human narrator for the original English audiobook recording, highlighting the value of human performance in an attempt to elevate his business endeavor.

Advancements in AI Voice Cloning

In January, SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios reached an agreement during the annual CES conference in Las Vegas. The deal sets guidelines for AI voice cloning, enabling professional voice actors to explore opportunities for their digital voice replicas in video games safely. The agreement aims to provide industry-leading protections tailored to AI technology, allowing video game studios and other companies working with Replica to access top SAG-AFTRA talent.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, suggested that the Replica deal is specific to one company and pertains to video game development, not a standard agreement. The deal focuses on licensing actors' voices in games rather than replacing them entirely with AI-generated voices. This development comes as a surprise, considering the union's previous work stoppage aimed at preventing actors from being replaced by AI.

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