Audible Tests New AI Search Feature

Audible, the audiobook platform owned by Amazon, has launched a beta test for an AI-driven search feature named “Maven,” aimed at enhancing user experience in finding audiobooks. Starting Wednesday, select U.S. customers can engage with Maven, which provides personalized title suggestions based on natural language queries. Users can ask for specific genres or themes, such as “an uplifting fiction novel with a female protagonist,” and receive tailored recommendations from Audible’s extensive catalog of nearly one million titles. The Maven feature is accessible on both iOS and Android devices, with approximately half of Audible’s U.S. customer base eligible to participate in the test. However, the feature is currently limited to a subset of Audible’s audiobook library. The company has indicated that it will continue to refine and improve Maven as it gathers user feedback and data during the testing phase. While Audible has not disclosed the specific AI models utilized for Maven, a spokesperson mentioned that it draws on the strengths of multiple models and will adapt as technology evolves. In addition to Maven, Audible is exploring other AI applications, including AI-curated collections and AI-generated review summaries, potentially positioning itself in competition with Spotify’s AI-generated playlists. This announcement comes on the heels of a growing trend, as thousands of AI-voiced audiobooks are being consumed by users, with over 40,000 titles featuring AI narrators as of May.