MacVoices #25154: Live! - AI Audiobooks, Targeted Ads, and the Battle for Your Data

The panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, and Brittany Smith discusses Audible’s rollout of AI-generated audiobook narration, debating its impact on accessibility, job displacement, and listener experience. They also explore Amazon and Netflix’s use of AI in advertising, increasing interruptions during streaming. A warning is issued about Meta requiring users to re-opt-out of AI data use, and the group closes with insights on evolving media habits and tech frustrations. 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV25154.mp3

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:10 AI Audiobooks Revolution
01:07 Accessibility vs. Quality
10:23 AI in Advertising
21:08 Netflix's New Ad Strategy
23:07 The Future of Streaming Ads
28:54 Meta's Data Policy Changes

Links:

Audible is giving publishers AI tools to quickly make more audiobooks
https://www.theverge.com/news/666136/amazon-audible-ai-narration-audiobooks-translation

Amazon Prime Video will show you contextual AI-created ads when you pause a show
https://www.fastcompany.com/91333461/amazon-upfront-2025-prime-video-ai-contextual-pause-ads

Netflix has figured out a way to make ads even worse using AI
https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-has-figured-out-a-way-to-make-ads-even-worse-using-ai-180623064.html

Meta is making users who opted out of AI training opt out again, watchdog says
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/05/meta-is-making-users-who-opted-out-of-ai-training-opt-out-again-watchdog-says/

Guests:

Eric Bolden .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}