Spotify has revealed plans this week to test Voice Translation for podcasts, a feature powered by AI that translates podcasts into additional languages – all in the podcaster’s voice.
The Spotify-developed tool uses the latest AI innovations including OpenAI’s newly released voice-generation technology, used to match the original speaker’s style.
The new tool would see a podcast episode originally recorded in English, available in other languages keeping the speaker’s distinctive speech characteristics.
As part of the test, Spotify has worked with podcasters, Dax Shepard, Monica Padman, Lex Fridman, Bill Simmons, and Steven Bartlett to generate AI-powered voice translations in other languages – including Spanish, French, and German – for a select number of catalogue episodes and future episode releases.
“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,” said 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.”
Voice-translated episodes from pilot creators will be available worldwide to Premium and Free users. Spotify is starting by releasing an initial bundle of translated episodes in Spanish, with French and German rolling out in the coming days and weeks:
1. Lex Fridman Podcast – “Interview with Yuval Noah Harari”
2. Armchair Expert – “Kristen Bell, by the grace of god, returns”
3. The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett – “Interview with Dr. Mindy Pelz”
Last week, Spotify announced that they will take over The Lansdowne Hotel as part of SXSW Sydney to create Spotify House, operating across four days from 18 – 21 October, with up-and-coming artists, future-focused music minds, and unique musical experiences on show.
See also: Spotify set to take over The Lansdowne Hotel as part of SXSW Sydney