Update 2025-03-20 (PST) (AI summary of creator comment): Key Clarifications:

• AI Narration Quality: Recent advancements with platforms like OpenAI.fm and Sesame AI have achieved high-quality text-to-speech with diverse voice options and improved emotional control, making AI narration competitive with human narrators.

• Affordability: AI narration now comes at a significantly lower cost (approximately $12-15 per hour), enhancing its economic viability compared to traditional human narration.

• Platform Integration and Adaptability: Integration with major platforms (e.g., Spotify) and the dynamic nature of AI models support the shift towards AI-driven audiobook production.

• Resolution Rationale: The market resolution is clarified to focus on achieving quality parity and economic viability, where human narration becomes largely unnecessary for most audiobook production by 2026, despite continued niche cases.