Spotify has unveiled an AI-powered translation feature for podcasts, to offer a personalized global listening experience. Will it be also available for Africans?
If you love to listen to podcasts and music, you might be familiar with Spotify. If not, let me tell you that it is a popular platform for listening to podcasts and music.
Spotify has introduced a new feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to translate podcast episodes into different languages.
This means that you can listen to a podcast in your own language while still hearing the original voices of the podcasters.
The AI technology behind this feature can replicate a person’s voice after listening to it for just a few seconds. Spotify believes that this will create a more natural and personal listening experience compared to traditional voice dubbing.
Keep Reading
For example, if a podcast was originally recorded in English, you will be able to listen to it in Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa & so on, while still hearing the same voices and speech characteristics of the podcasters.
Initially, Spotify is offering translated episodes from select creators in English and Spanish. Soon, episodes in French and German will also be available. You can find these translated shows in Spotify’s app, and more will be added in the coming weeks and months.
Spotify has around 100 million people who regularly listen to podcasts on its platform. This new AI-powered translation feature could attract even more listeners, especially in countries where the podcast’s original language is not widely spoken.
However, there is a challenge to ensure that the translation accurately captures the original tones and meaning of the dialogue.
Voice cloning technology like this has been advancing, and it’s not limited to podcasts. It could potentially be used in movies and TV shows to replicate entire casts for international versions.
While this technology has its benefits, there are concerns about its misuse, such as creating fake audio of politicians or public figures saying things they never actually said. So, while it offers exciting possibilities for podcast listeners, it also raises ethical and security considerations.
Spotify’s new feature can use AI to translate podcasts into different languages, like Spanish, French, and German. However there is no official announcement of African languages yet.
But when Spotify or any podcast platform has the technology, the platform can translate or convert any language to African languages.
However, it’s important to note that not all podcasts will be translated, as it will depend on the podcast creators and their choices. But as you know, every podcaster wants that s/he can have a worldwide audience, so I don’t think anyone will resist this feature.
