We Listened to Spotify AI Translations. Here’s What We Think
AI-powered translations are becoming the norm. But are they any good? Here’s our take.
Have you ever wanted to listen to a podcast that seems like a lot of fun in your own language?
Guess what: it’s now possible.
The Swedish music streaming giant Spotify has announced a new feature. Dubbed Spotify 's AI voice translation, it promises to make available famous podcasters in your native language.
Using AI, Spotify developed a tool that leverages the latest innovations in voice generation technology. It matches the original speaker style which means that it should sound more authentic than another person dubbing it.
According to Spotify, it worked closely with podcasters like Dan Shepherd, Monica Padman, Lex Friedman and others in order to make AI-powered translations in several languages, including Spanish, French, and German.
“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,” says Ziad Sultan, VP of Personalization. “We believe that a thoughtful approach to AI can help build deeper connections between listeners and creators, a key component of Spotify’s mission to unlock the potential of human creativity.”
So, how do they sound in their AI versions?
Well, we’re not quite sure. We listened to Lex Fridman and Steven Bartlett (Kristen Bell wasn’t available) in Spanish and compared it with the original.
Let’s just say that while the AI version isn’t bad, it still feels off. Not least because of the strange tempo. There are minor pauses here and there and overall it sounds, well, artificial. A bit like a robot talking.
Whether there will be any improvements to the quality of the audio, remains to be seen.
However, Spotify also promises to roll out episodes in French and German in the coming days and weeks. They will be available via Voice Translations Hub. So make sure to test them too and draw a conclusion of your own.
Previously, Gagarin News shed light on Artificial Intelligence in the Film Industry.
