Voice AI startup ElevenLabs has announced the launch of GenFM, a groundbreaking feature that enables users to create multispeaker podcasts from diverse content types, including YouTube videos, text, and audio files. This innovative tool is available on the company's ElevenLabs Reader iOS app and supports an impressive 32 languages, making it a significant player in the AI-powered audio generation market.

GenFM's functionality is reminiscent of Google's NotebookLM, which also allows users to generate AI-powered conversations from provided sources. However, ElevenLabs' feature takes it a step further by automatically selecting two voices to create a podcast, with over a dozen voices available. This AI-driven approach aims to strike a balance between natural, human-like conversation and providing utility from the content.

In an email conversation with TechCrunch, Jack McDermott, responsible for mobile growth at ElevenLabs, shared the company's vision for GenFM. "We debated about how much to introduce 'ums,' 'ahs,' 'mhmms,' laughter, and breathing similar human dialogue fillers or overlays – we're aiming to strike the right balance of natural, human conversation and providing utility from the content." McDermott emphasized that the goal is to create an experience akin to exceptional long-form podcasts, characterized by fewer interruptions and more natural, insightful conversation flow.

ElevenLabs has plans to further enhance GenFM by supporting more customization options and the ability to add multiple sources to create a generative AI podcast. This move is likely to increase the feature's appeal and versatility, making it an attractive option for content creators and podcast enthusiasts alike.

The launch of GenFM comes on the heels of ElevenLabs' recent investment of $11 million into the Polish startup ecosystem and the opening of an R&D center in Warsaw. The company is also expanding its presence in India, where it has hired a business head and is building a team. Additionally, ElevenLabs has launched conversation AI agents for its customers, solidifying its position as a pioneer in the voice AI space.

The introduction of GenFM marks a significant milestone in the development of AI-powered audio generation technology. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ElevenLabs' innovative feature shapes the future of podcast creation and audio content generation.

In the context of the broader AI landscape, ElevenLabs' GenFM feature demonstrates the rapid progress being made in natural language processing and voice AI. As these technologies continue to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated applications emerge, transforming industries and revolutionizing the way we interact with audio content.