Spotify has unveiled a new AI-driven feature for audiobooks, known as Recaps, that aims to provide users with a concise summary of the story’s progress without the need to rewind, similar to a ‘previously on’ segment in TV shows. Initially available on select English-language audiobooks within the iOS app, Recaps will eventually expand to include more titles, offering summaries after a minimum of 15-20 minutes of content. The feature will continue to update as users advance through the audiobook, with the goal of assisting listeners in completing their books.
Described as ‘an audio bookmark that speaks’ by true-crime author J.H. Markert, the Recaps feature has been praised for its intelligence and sophistication. Spotify emphasizes that while AI powers Recaps, the original audiobook content and narration remain intact and protected. According to Paul Bennett, Spotify’s research director of LLMs, Recaps does not utilize audiobook content for training purposes or voice generation, nor does it replicate or replace the original narration.
Source: The Verge