Audible Narrators Can Now Create AI Voice Clone with Amazon's New Beta

Amazon is launching a new feature that allows Audible narrators to create AI replicas of their voices, giving them control over their digital counterpart and offering compensation on a project-by-project basis.

New Beta for Voice Cloning on Audible

This week, Amazon will roll out a US-only beta program, inviting a small group of Audible narrators to train AI versions of their voices. This initiative is aimed at speeding up audiobook production. Initially limited to narrators, the beta is expected to expand later this year to include rights holders such as authors, agents, and publishers.

“There is a vast catalog of books that does not yet exist in audio,” Amazon shared. “As we explore ways to bring more books to life on Audible, we’re committed to thoughtfully balancing the interests of authors, narrators, publishers, and listeners.”

Narrators Retain Creative Control

Participants in the beta will submit voice samples to create AI clones, retaining full creative control over the projects they wish to audition for—whether live or AI-generated. Narrators will have tools to adjust their AI voice’s pronunciation and pacing, ensuring that it reflects their preferences. They can also review and approve the final production before it’s published.

Amazon clarified that narrators will be paid through a “Royalty Share” model, though no specific earnings details were provided. Compensation will be determined on a "title-by-title" basis.

Looking Ahead: Potential Costs and Concerns

For beta participants, the voice cloning service will be free. However, Amazon’s mention of this in its announcement suggests that there may be a cost for future access. Any audiobook created with an AI-generated voice will be labeled on the product page, and narrators will maintain control over which titles are voiced by their AI counterpart. “Audible will not separately use a narrator’s voice replica for any content without their approval.”

Amazon had previously introduced AI narration to Kindle Direct Publishing authors, enabling them to convert books into audiobooks with synthetic voices. Since its launch, over 40,000 titles have used AI narration, leading to concerns within the industry. Narrators like Ramon de Ocampo have voiced fears about the potential impact on jobs for human performers. Critics have also pointed out that Audible does not provide a clear way for listeners to filter out AI-narrated audiobooks, making it difficult to avoid these titles if they prefer human narration.