Spotify has expanded its AI-narrated audiobook capabilities through a new partnership with London-based ElevenLabs. This development allows authors to create audiobooks in up to 29 languages using artificial intelligence narration.

The expansion comes as part of Spotify's broader strategy to strengthen its spoken-word content offerings. Authors can now use ElevenLabs' AI narration services and distribute their audiobooks through Findaway Voices to Spotify and other platforms. All AI-narrated content will be clearly labeled as such.

This move coincides with Spotify's controversial bundling strategy in the U.S., where subscribers can access 15 hours of audiobooks monthly as part of their subscription. The strategy has faced criticism from songwriters and publishers, with the MLC challenging whether these offerings qualify as true bundles.

While Spotify positions this development as democratizing audiobook creation by lowering entry barriers, concerns exist about potential quality dilution in the platform's audiobook library, similar to challenges faced in its music and podcast sections.

ElevenLabs, while primarily focused on voice-related services, has been expanding its team with new hires working on music features, suggesting potential broader AI applications in Spotify's future offerings.

Key Points:

• Partnership with ElevenLabs enables AI narration in 29 languages
• Distribution available through Findaway Voices
• U.S. subscribers get 15 hours of audiobooks monthly
• AI-narrated content will be clearly labeled
• Quality concerns exist regarding lowered entry barriers
• Bundling strategy remains controversial among rights holders

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