LITBUZZ

Published September 8, 2019
The English-language newsreader pictured here is modelled on Zhang Zhao, an actual anchorperson at Xinhua | Reuters
The English-language newsreader pictured here is modelled on Zhang Zhao, an actual anchorperson at Xinhua | Reuters

IN THE AUTHOR’S OWN VOICE

Easily available text-to-voice technology means that any book can be turned into an audio version within minutes. But the robot voice is often a deal-breaker as most listeners prefer nuanced narrations by an actual human being. These recordings, however, can take months to produce. The company behind Chinese search engine Sogou is now coming out with technology that creates lifelike ‘vocal avatars’ from a one-minute sample recording of a human voice, making it sound as though the author is reading the book to you personally. The addition of video clips of the author will make it seem as if you are actually attending a favourite author’s reading.

In 2018, Sogou created two Artificial Intelligence (AI) television newsreaders that are presently being used by Xinhua, China’s official and largest news agency. Sogou is currently in the process of developing AI versions of two popular Chinese authors, and the company claims that if adequate video and voice clips are available, even deceased writers could be given a new lease on ‘life’.

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, September 8th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Gruesome murders
Updated 12 Jul, 2025

Gruesome murders

Long-term security can only be achieved when there is equitable development across Balochistan.
Solar policy
12 Jul, 2025

Solar policy

SOLAR net metering reforms are back in the limelight. On Thursday, Power Minister Awais Leghari announced that he...
New hope
12 Jul, 2025

New hope

EDUCATION shapes the destiny of a nation. Sadly, Pakistan’s public education sector is experiencing a national...
PIA privatisation
Updated 11 Jul, 2025

PIA privatisation

While it does give the privatisation authorities a much-needed head-start, it will not be sustainable unless preceded by policy and regulatory reforms.
Beyond expectations
11 Jul, 2025

Beyond expectations

THESE are tough times, but the country is lucky enough to still be considered home by a large expatriate workforce,...
Train in vain
11 Jul, 2025

Train in vain

TALK of ‘revival’ of the long-dead Karachi Circular Railway has turned into a running joke for denizens of this...