India-based audio platform Pocket FM, boasting over 200,000 hours of content, is looking to further expand its library and create more original content with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. According to CEO Rohan Nayak, the platform still has room to grow in terms of content diversity and depth, particularly in multiple genres and sub-genres.

Nayak expressed his concerns about the insufficiency of Pocket FM's current content catalog, citing the need for more depth in the mature entertainment category. To address this, the company is exploring the potential of AI tools in audio production, writing strategies, and adapting stories for different geographies. This move is expected to significantly accelerate content creation and reduce production costs.

Pocket FM has already seen success with its partnership with ElevenLabs, which has enabled the conversion of writings into audio series at a rate 5 times faster and 30 times lower in cost compared to professionally generated audio series. The company has also been testing AI tools that cater to the adoption of stories in different regions, taking into account cultural nuances and context.

One of the AI tools being tested is a creative assistant for writers, providing alternative storylines and plot ideas. The company plans to infuse insights from its historical data into the tool, indicating to writers what works on the platform. This assistant aims to give solo writers the power of a writer's room, enabling them to brainstorm without sacrificing creative control.

In addition, Pocket FM is investing in a "blockbuster engine" that will analyze insights from the platform to identify hit shows. The ultimate goal is to scale the platform's catalog, which currently features over 40,000 series with the help of AI-generated voice creation. The company has generated $3 million in revenue from these series and clocked in $127 million in financial year 2024.

However, Nayak acknowledges the challenge of striking a balance between AI-assisted content creation and maintaining quality. There is a risk of compromising quality when relying on AI to speed up content production, which could lead to mediocre content flooding the platform and making it difficult for algorithms to highlight good shows.

Industry experts, such as Puneet Sharma, an India-based writer and lyricist, have expressed concerns about the potential impact of AI tools on the creative process. Sharma notes that while AI can help writers generate ideas and learn different styles, it may also lead to the loss of the learning process through failure.

Nayak emphasizes that Pocket FM's goal is to provide AI tools with context and platform-specific insights to support writers and creatives. The company has raised $197 million in funding across multiple rounds, with backers including Lightspeed Ventures, Tencent, and Times Internet, and competes with other content players such as Audible, Pratilipi, and Kuku FM.

As Pocket FM continues to explore the potential of AI in content creation, the industry will be watching closely to see how the platform balances quality and quantity in its pursuit of becoming a leading audio content provider.