Global streaming platform Spotify has introduced an AI-powered voice translation feature that allows podcasters to effortlessly expand their reach to foreign-language audiences. This innovative tool leverages the power of artificial intelligence to seamlessly translate podcast episodes into different languages while preserving the podcaster’s voice, ensuring an authentic listening experience for audiences worldwide.
Spotify has initially partnered with a select group of podcasters to test this transformative and pioneering feature. Currently, the tool is available for translating episodes into Spanish and French, with plans underway to introduce German translations in the near future.
The core technology behind this innovation is OpenAI’s voice transcription tool known as Whisper, which excels in transcribing English speech and translating various languages into English. However, Spotify’s tool takes it a step further by not merely transcribing speech, but also by translating and reproducing the entire podcast in a synthesized version of the podcaster’s distinctive voice.
Ziad Sultan, Spotify’s Vice President of Personalization, expressed the significance of this development, stating, “By matching the creator’s own voice, Voice Translation gives listeners around the world the power to discover and be inspired by new podcasters in a more authentic way than ever before.”
OpenAI is also likely behind the voice replication part of this new feature. The AI company is making a few announcements this morning, including the launch of a tool that can create “human-like audio from just text and a few seconds of sample speech.” OpenAI says it’s intentionally limiting how widely this tool will be available due to concerns around safety and privacy.
Read also: Spotify removes lyrics option for free users in Nigeria in latest test
More languages, more reach for podcasters
As for Spotify’s translation technology, it is currently in the testing phase with a limited group of podcasters. While Spotify has not disclosed specific plans for broader availability, this innovation holds immense promise for African podcasters.
It means that creators from Africa can break down language barriers and share their unique perspectives and content with a global audience. This will in turn foster greater cultural exchange and expand the reach of African voices in the podcasting world. The potential for African podcasters to connect with audiences beyond their borders is now more tangible than ever, offering a transformative opportunity to amplify their voices on a global scale.
In Africa, podcast consumption is fast becoming a growing trend in many countries, including Nigeria as podcast format shows significant growth alongside audio content which allows the listener to multitask. As of 2021, Nigeria alone had over 2.9 million podcast titles available to Spotify listeners in the country.
Spotify is making great use of AI technology by incorporating it more and more into its platform. The platform recently introduced its personalized music feature named ‘DJ,’ which is powered by artificial intelligence, to Nigeria and other parts of the world. This marks a significant expansion that occurred six months after its initial launch in North America.
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