AI voiceovers are advancing at a rate of knots, and it’s easy to see why. They’re practical, efficient and can save serious time, especially when used in the right context.
What’s clear is that they’re a valuable addition to the creative process. An addition that means we have more tools in our toolkit than ever before. But rather than replacing what already works, AI voiceovers simply expand the options available.
For some projects, a human voice will be the natural choice; for others, AI may prove the smarter option—and often, a blend of the two can work marvellously. Our role in all of this is to help you work out which approach delivers the best results for your audience, timeline and budget.
…That’s the theory. Now for the practice.
The experiment
We wanted to explore just how far AI voice tech has come. So we used our enterprise AI models to build a simple demo using a non-actor’s voice: one script, two reads—first by the human, then by an AI clone of the same voice. The example switches seamlessly between them.
What do you think?
YAY-I: where AI shines
- Speed. Perfect for quick sign-offs, last-minute changes and compliance tweaks
- Flexibility. Ideal for guide tracks, placeholders and light reads that wouldn’t justify a studio session
- Scale. Handles versioning across regions and languages without recasting every time
- Access. Even platforms like Spotify now accept audiobooks narrated by AI, with clear disclosure
- Cost-effective. Think of it as a smart assistant that saves time and budget
Where humans win (and always will)
- Authenticity. Actors bring emotion, instinct and subtle nuance that AI can’t match—the little truths that make a story resonate
- Reaction. In live direction sessions, actors respond instantly, adjusting emphasis or finding the right beat (no extra credits needed!)
- Connection. Independent research shows human voices consistently score higher for trust, persuasion and the length of time we’re willing to listen
It’s not human vs AI
This isn’t about replacing human voiceovers or picking sides. It’s about giving you more choice. We audition and sample both human and AI reads on your script so you can hear the difference for yourself.
Sometimes a human voice carries instinct, emotion or nuance that just clicks. Other times, technology can surprise you with speed, consistency and unexpected flow. Often, the magic happens somewhere in between.
Of course, AI isn’t flawless. Longer reads can get tricky, clones can shift between sessions, and technical language or names need a careful touch. Rights and transparency matter too—check out the EU AI Act for more on this.
But that’s where we come in: building glossaries, setting pronunciation guides, running quality checks and making sure that every voice is used with clear consent. By handling these details, we keep AI reliable, consistent and safe to use so you can make the most of what’s possible.
Bottom line
We’re here to remove faff and add value. Great work doesn’t come from tools alone; it comes from the choices we make. Our job is to help you make the right ones for your project, every time.
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