Audible Rolls Out Three AI Story Features in Limited U.S. and U.K. Beta

The rollout follows Audible's introduction of a rewards program earlier this year. Character Guide is designed to help listeners keep track of characters. On the player page, it shows who is speaking in real time and gives each character a spoiler-free card that also highlights the performer behind the voice. Narrator headshots and biographies are available there as well.

Audible says Character Guide is currently available for George Orwell's 1984. The company lists Bram Stoker's Dracula for October 1 and Exoplanet by Benjamin Percy for November 5. Audible said that later, users will be able to use the tool to ask questions about the production.

Interactive Story turns a story into an interactive conversation. The first title using it is Bram Stoker's Dracula. In that experience, Dracula's servant Renfield speaks and assigns the listener a role, a goal and stakes. As the listener responds, the character listens and reacts in real time. Audible said the feature is designed to remain faithful to the creator's vision all the way through. The next Interactive Story will be Exoplanet, scheduled for November 5.

Visual Explorer is intended to give visual context to the story. During key moments, relevant imagery is surfaced, similar to turning an audiobook into a picture book. For example, while listening to The Cultural Tutor's Grand Tour: The Story of Europe in Six Cities, listeners will see imagery and bonus information about key landmarks, figures and places featured in six European cities.

All three tools are being rolled out in a limited beta and will only come to users in the United States and the United Kingdom. Audible did not say when it plans to broaden availability.