Why AI audiobook narrators could win over some authors and readers, despite the vocal bumps

Apple and Google's AI turn in a booming market may sound less than human and raise the ire of voiceover actors, but it has cost benefits

For the first few seconds, the narrator of Kristen Ethridge's new romance audiobook, Shelter from the Storm, sounds like a human being. The voice is light and carefully enunciated, with the slow pacing of any audiobook narrator, as it begins: There's a storm coming, and her name is Hope."

Then, something about the pacing of the words grates on the ear. It's a little too regular, even robotic. I know that sounds a little crazy," the breathy voice continues, grinding out the words. That something so destructive could be labeled with such a peaceful name."