Multiple market analyses have observed the staggering growth in adoption of ‘AI Voices’; growth which is predicted to continue to accelerate for the foreseeable future. A predicted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 25% will see the market for synthetic voice grow from an estimated $2bn in 2023 to over $15bn by 2032 [Polaris Research, Allied Market Research]. In addition to giving voice to automated chatbots and customer service interactions, a large part of the market growth for synthetic voice will be for (AI) dubbing of audio/visual content - a core vertical of the Localisation industry. The case for AI dubbing using synthetic voice is compelling, given the inordinate complexity of traditionally managing a diverse cast of voice actors across multiple recording studios in multiple countries. This is really a case of ‘voicing the unvoiced’, as synthetic voices will open up the possibility of dubbing a vast range of content that traditionally would not have been available beyond its source language. This is true across multiple sectors, including video game localisation, media & entertainment (including podcasts), and corporate content (a diverse range of corporate video content).

But what does the next generation of technology for synthetic voice look like from a user perspective? How can LSPs take advantage of the lower barrier to entry afforded by synthetic voice platforms to add audio/video localisation as a new offering? What new skills or competencies are required to successfully deliver projects using synthetic voice? In this presentation I will give an overview of the current state of the market for synthetic voices, with particular attention to those use-cases that fall within the traditional localisation landscape. I will illustrate how current technology platforms allow wider access to audio/video localisation and, in particular, examine how LSPs who haven’t traditionally offered audio/video localisation services may be able to adopt new technologies to expand their offerings, bearing in mind the new workflows and competencies required to successfully deliver high quality synthetic voice projects.

Host organization: Globalization and Localization Association