AI Narration and the Future of Audiobooks, with Dan Jones

Can AI narrate a book? And should it? Dan Jones spent 22 years at Hachette UK, seven of them as Head of Audio Services, and is now Senior Manager at Glassboxx. In this episode he takes us inside audiobook production at scale: how budgets are set, how narrators are cast across different tiers, and how authors sign off on the voice of their book. Melissa and Dan also listen to an AI-replica narration of The Odyssey. Dan calls it a “rendering”: the sound design hides some of the flaws, but it lacks the dynamic range, intonation and emotional connection a human narrator brings. Dan explains that trade publishers are largely not using AI narration, and that most of the uptake is in self-publishing and tech-led ecosystems. AI is already improving production behind the scenes, though, in editing, proofing and audio repair. They also talk about the training, stamina and preparation long-form narration demands, and why human performance still delivers something AI can’t: connection and lived experience. What we cover How audiobooks are produced at scale: budgeting, casting tiers and author sign-off Dan’s verdict on an AI-replica narration of The Odyssey, and why it’s a “rendering” rather than a performance Which books need a human narrator Why trade publishers are largely steering clear of AI narration, and where it is being used How AI tools are already helping with editing, proofing and audio repair Directing authors and celebrities in the booth The stamina, training and preparation long-form narration demands Why connection and lived experience keep the human voice ahead, and where the industry goes next Chapters 00:00 Season Four Kickoff 01:22 Meet Dan Jones 02:23 Casting and Budgets 04:53 AI Odyssey Review 07:26 Which Books Need Humans 09:24 Where AI Is Used 12:33 BRAVA Sponsor Break 13:41 AI Tools in Production 16:00 Why Humans Still Win 18:04 Directing Authors and Celebs 20:23 Narrator Stamina and Craft 24:29 Connection and Lived Experience 27:04 Industry Outlook and Future 29:03 Wrap Up and Next Episode Links & Resources Dan Jones Dan Jones: linkedin.com/in/danjonesaudio The Odyssey ElevenLabs, The Odyssey audiobook announcement: ElevenLabs' The Odyssey audiobook by Michael Caine's AI voice Variety, Michael Caine’s AI-generated voice to narrate The Odyssey: Michael Caine’s AI-Generated Voice to Narrate ‘The Odyssey’ Audiobook Ahead of Christopher Nolan’s Movie Where AI narration is being used TechCrunch, Audible is expanding its AI-narrated audiobook library: Audible is expanding its AI-narrated audiobook library | TechCrunch TechCrunch, Spotify launches an ElevenLabs-powered audiobook creation tool: Spotify launches an ElevenLabs-powered audiobook creation tool | TechCrunch AI tools in production Pozotron: Audiobook Proofing Service by Pozotron The audiobook market Publishers Association, Publishing reaches highest ever revenue in 2025: Publishing reaches highest ever revenue in 2025 Audio Publishers Association, sales and consumer surveys: Research Surveys Press Release — Homepage Previous episode Episode 5, [title], with [guest]: [link] BRAVA BRAVA - Voice Acting Training Sign up to the BRAVA newsletter Subscribe | BRAVA ‌ This is Season 4 of HIGH NOTES. Where every conversation is a performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.