Audible is beta-testing Maven, a conversational AI-powered search feature

The Amazon-owned audiobook platform Audible announced it will start beta-testing Maven. This AI-powered search feature can reply to conversational queries to help users discover their next audiobook by suggesting titles matching their inquiries and preferences. For instance, users can ask for "an uplifting fiction novel with a female protagonist" or "fantasy audiobooks for an 8-hour road trip," Maven will provide tailored recommendations from Audible's vast catalog.

Andy Tsao, Audible’s Chief Product and Analytics Officer, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation and supporting its customers as they find new reads. He noted that Maven is just the beginning and that Audible plans to continually improve the feature based on user feedback and emerging technologies. In parallel with the Maven beta test, Audible has been testing AI-generated "reviews at a glance" and AI-curated collections on niche topics.

During the beta test, Maven will be available to half of Audible's users across all its subscription plans. The service will first cover a subset of the entire catalog as the company gathers customer engagement and preference feedback.