Audible has added a new AI-based search function | Festina Lente - Your leading source of AI news | Turtles AI

Audible Introduces "Maven": A New AI Search Functionality for Audiobooks

Key Points:

1. Maven enables personalized searches using natural language.
2. Available for iOS and Android devices for a select number of users in the United States.
3. The feature covers a subset of Audible’s library of audiobooks.
4. Audible also explores artificial intelligence-curated collections and automatically generated reviews.

Audible launches Maven, an AI recommendation expert for audiobooks

Audible, the popular audiobook platform owned by Amazon, has announced the launch of Maven, a new artificial intelligence-based tool designed to improve users’ search experience. Starting today, a select group of customers in the United States will have the opportunity to experience this innovative feature.

A Personalized Search Experience

Maven was developed to enable users to search audiobooks using natural language. This means that users can enter specific requests such as "I’m looking for an uplifting fiction novel with a female protagonist" and receive relevant suggestions from Audible’s vast catalog of nearly one million titles. This new recommendation system aims to make searching for content more intuitive and personalized than traditional methods.

Limited Availability

The new feature is currently available on iOS and Android devices. About half of Audible’s U.S. customers, regardless of subscription plan, will be able to access Maven. However, it is important to note that the feature is limited to a subset of Audible’s audiobook library. The company said it will continue to improve and expand the feature over time, based on user feedback and technological advances.

Artificial Intelligence in Continuous Evolution.

Although Audible did not specify which AI models power Maven, a company spokesperson revealed to TechCrunch that the system leverages "the strengths of multiple models" and that the company will "continuously evaluate" the models as they improve. This flexible strategy allows Audible to adopt the most advanced AI solutions available, thus ensuring that the quality of recommendations is constantly improved.

Audible’s Other AI Initiatives.

In addition to Maven, Audible is exploring additional applications of AI. The company has begun experimenting with AI-curated audiobook collections and automatically generated reviews. These AI-curated collections could be an answer to AI-generated music playlists, such as those offered by Spotify.

Community Reactions

The introduction of AI into the world of audiobooks has not been without controversy. Recently, it emerged that thousands of AI-voiced audiobooks have been listened to by Audible users, raising concerns among professional storytellers. In May, more than 40,000 titles were tagged with an AI narrator, a number that has likely increased since then. This trend has raised debates about the impact of automation on creators in the audio industry.

In summary, with the launch of Maven and other AI initiatives, Audible continues to push the boundaries of how AI can improve the user experience while trying to balance innovation and ethical concerns in the industry.