Artificial intelligence now enables the mass production of podcasts with completely virtual hosts, disrupting an industry with a fragile business model.
Since Google launched Audio Overview, a wave of startups, including ElevenLabs and Wondercraft, has emerged, creating podcasts from documents and other inputs without the need for a studio, humans, or recording.
Whether based on a legal document or a school handout, AI tools can deliver a state-of-the-art podcast at the click of a mouse.
Inception Point AI, launched in 2023, releases around 3,000 podcasts per week with a team of just eight people, aiming to "play the volume game", according to founder Jeanine Wright.
Author's summary: AI-generated podcasts disrupt the industry.