Estonian digital-book distributor rejects AI-read audiobooks

The Estonian Digital Books Centre will not supply AI-narrated audiobooks to retailers Rahva Raamat and Elisa, which have promised customers books read by people, its content manager Marge Tänava told ERR’s R2 Päev programme.

Tänava said she had turned down a proposal to make an audiobook using an AI voice because the centre’s retail partners do not accept robot-read books. She also urges publishers to disclose when they have used AI in a book’s content, translation or design.

The arrival of audiobook and e-book platform Storytel in Estonia has not affected the centre’s revenue or operations, despite initial fears, Tänava said. Its high-profile launch also brought digital books back into public view. She said, however, that if customers switch from Rahva Raamat or Elisa to Storytel, the centre may be able to pay publishers less.

Audiobooks have grown from 20 percent of the total payments made to publishers last year to about 35 percent now, according to Tänava. The centre pays publishers 60 percent of audiobook sales revenue. Elisa and Rahva Raamat also compensate publishers for books listened to during free promotional periods.

Tänava said audiobook production costs range from 150 to 1,600 euros, covering the reader, sound engineer, studio and post-production. The centre has more than 500 partners.