- The Zilahut
- Posts
- AI Podcasts: Faster, Cheaper, but Are They Better?
AI Podcasts: Faster, Cheaper, but Are They Better?
A simple breakdown of how AI is changing podcasts.
Miroslav Novohradsky
October 12, 2024
In partnership with
Podcasts. When you open any social media, you already know that almost everyone is doing podcasts these days.
It is a trending industry.
And do you know what is an even hotter topic?
AI-generated podcasts.
Honestly, there's a lot to unpack.
So, I’ve broken it all down into simple sections to help you understand the pros, cons, and what it all means for creators like you and me.
What Are AI-Generated Podcasts?
When you understand the process of AI-generated faceless channels, you already know what AI-generated podcasts are.
Also here, AI is being used to create podcasts with very little human involvement.
This means AI can now write scripts, create synthetic voices, and even handle editing.
In some cases, you can give an AI tool a topic, and it will produce an entire podcast episode for you!
For example, imagine you wanted a podcast on "AI and content creation."
With AI, a tool like Podcastle can do everything: collect facts, write the script, and even generate a voice to read it.
This makes podcasting faster and cheaper, especially for small creators or businesses with tight budgets.
PRESENTED BY SPONSOR
Finally! A portfolio that's auto-updating and backs up your work.
If you're a writer, journalist or content marketer, you are familiar with these struggles:
Spending hours updating your portfolio page to keep it fresh.
Losing your work samples due to site shutdowns.
The good news? Authory has you covered!
It automatically pulls in your content and creates a stunning portfolio that updates itself every time you publish.
Plus, it backs up all your work, so you never have to worry about losing anything.
Ready to impress potential clients and employers?
Fully Generated vs. AI-Assisted Podcasts
OK, now that you know the basics, let me tell you two main approaches to podcast creation.
Fully Generated Podcasts: In these, AI does almost everything. You give it a topic, and it creates the entire episode without human help. This is perfect for creators who want to save time and money.
AI-Assisted Podcasts: In these, humans still play a big role, but they use AI tools to make production easier. For example, a human might write the script, but AI can help with editing or adding sound effects.
Both methods make it easier to produce content, but fully AI-generated podcasts are more problematic.
They raise questions about whether they feel authentic and worth to listen.
Pros of AI Podcasts
People are trying to use AI in podcasts because there are a lot of benefits:
Efficiency: AI helps produce podcasts quickly, which saves time for creators.
Cost-effective: Since AI can handle a lot of the work, creators don’t need big budgets to make high-quality content.
Accessibility: AI tools make podcasting easier for anyone to try, even if they don’t have much technical skill.
For indie creators or businesses with limited resources, AI podcasts can change the business.
Cons of AI Podcasts
But there are some downsides too:
Lack of Authenticity: AI-generated voices don’t always feel as real or emotionally engaging as human hosts. People may miss the natural connection they get from human voices.
Creativity Limits: AI can follow patterns and create content based on data, but it can’t think creatively like humans. Sometimes, the content can feel repetitive or robotic.
Technical Issues: AI can make mistakes, like mispronouncing words or providing outdated or incorrect information.
These are some of the reasons why AI-generated podcasts are still controversial.
People are not sure whether the efficiency is worth the trade-off in creativity and human touch.
Who’s Listening to AI Podcasts?
AI podcasts are popular among different groups:
Creators: Small businesses, indie creators, or hobbyists who don’t have the budget or time to produce professional podcasts.
Listeners: People who want quick, easily accessible content that can be personalized to their tastes.
However, some listeners may feel disconnected from AI-generated content because it can lack the warmth and authenticity of a human host.
The technology is rapidly advancing, and when you read one of my latest post about Google NotebookLM technology, you'll understand how AI can be beneficial in the future.
What’s the Style of AI Podcasts Like?
AI-generated podcasts usually have a neutral, straightforward tone.
Sometimes, even boring tone.
While this makes them efficient, it also means they can sound a bit robotic.
Human hosts, on the other hand, can make podcasts more engaging by adding personal stories, humor, or emotion.
Some AI podcasts, like those created by Google's NotebookLM, even try to mimic human conversation.
For instance, they can generate fake hosts who engage in friendly conversation.
But sometimes, this comes off as unsettling, because it’s almost too perfect.. and a little creepy.
Do AI Podcasts Have a Call-to-Action?
A lot of AI-generated content doesn’t include strong calls to action.
Let me explain what I mean by it.
While human hosts often encourage listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, or engage in some other way, AI-generated podcasts may not push listeners toward any specific action.
This can be a missed opportunity, especially for businesses that rely on audience engagement to grow.
Strengths and Weaknesses of AI Podcasts
Strengths:
They are fast and efficient to produce.
They lower costs, making podcasting accessible to more people.
They can help indie creators focus on the creative side rather than technical work.
Weaknesses:
AI lacks the emotional touch that makes human-hosted podcasts so engaging.
The content can sometimes feel predictable or lack creativity.
AI-generated podcasts are prone to technical errors, like mispronunciations or factual mistakes.
Takeaways for You As Creator
If you're thinking about using AI to produce podcasts, here are some practical tips:
Balance AI with Human Input: You can use AI tools to speed up production, but don’t completely remove the human element. Listeners still love authenticity and emotional connection.
Try AI-assisted podcasting: This approach gives you the best of both worlds - efficiency and human creativity. Use AI for tasks like editing, but stay involved in writing and narrating.
Watch for Improvements: AI technology is constantly evolving, so keep an eye on new tools that may solve current issues, like mispronunciations or creative limitations.
Know Your Audience: Always think about what your audience values. If they care more about efficiency, AI might work well. But if they value a personal touch, it’s better to stay more involved in the process.
That’s a quick breakdown of how AI is shaking up the podcast world.
Yes, it is attempting to break into another creative category.
While it’s exciting to see how these tools can make content creation easier, it’s still important to have a balance between using AI and keeping that human touch that makes podcasts truly enjoyable.
Thanks for reading!
Best,
Miroslav from The Zilahut
Reply