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Exclusive: tech firm quietly launches new audiobook catalogue narrated by AI – but move expected to spark backlash.

Even before Apple’s entrance, the battle for control of the audiobook market has renewed existing feuds between major players. While Apple already sells audiobooks, the latest move is likely to further raise questions over its anti-competitive behaviour. But producing an audiobook with a human voice can take weeks and can cost publishers thousands of dollars. Human intonation and inflection are notoriously difficult to predict and replicate. The strategy marks an attempt to upend the lucrative and fast-growing audiobook market – but it also promises to intensify scrutiny over allegations of Apple’s anti-competitive behaviour. While there is potential for backlash by professional voice actors, authors themselves are increasingly being asked to narrate their own books. “Companies see the audiobooks market and that there’s money to be made. They’re creating something that is different from the print book, but that adds value as an art form,” said David Caron, a co-producer at Canada’s largest audiobook publisher. There’s so much value in the narration and the storytelling, ” said Carly Watters. [jumped 25%](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/audio-books/article/89547-audiobook-growth-continues.html), bringing in more than $1.5bn. It’s not what customers want to listen to. They want to make content.