Former First Lady Melania Trump made headlines again on Thursday with the release of an audiobook version of her memoir. But this was no ordinary audiobook. Instead of narrating it herself, Trump used artificial intelligence to clone her voice, letting a digital version of her do all the reading.
“I am honored to bring you *Melania – The AI Audiobook – narrated using AI in my own voice,” she wrote in a post on social media. She ended her announcement with a bold message: “Let the future of publishing begin.”
This move has sparked a wide conversation. Many are now asking: Are AI voices the future of audiobooks? And what does this mean for human jobs in creative industries?
The Voice You Hear Isn’t Hers – But It Sounds Like It Is
Trump’s AI voice was developed under her own direction. This wasn’t just a machine picking a voice at random. It was crafted carefully to sound just like her.
Thanks to new tools from companies like ElevenLabs, creating voice clones has become easier and faster. These tools take written text and turn it into audio that sounds incredibly real—like a human reading aloud. In Trump’s case, her familiar accent, tone, and speaking style were all captured by AI.
This approach lets creators release books, podcasts, and more without ever stepping into a studio. It also saves time and money. But it raises concerns too. If a machine can copy a human voice this well, will real voice actors still have work?
Public Figures Leading the AI Wave
Melania Trump is not the first celebrity to turn to AI, but she may be the most high-profile figure to use it in such a personal way. Her decision to use her AI voice adds to the growing list of artists, politicians, and entrepreneurs exploring the technology.
Experts say this could signal a major change in how content is made. Alex Connock, from Oxford’s Saïd Business School, believes AI is not just replacing jobs—it’s changing them.
“It would be unrealistic to claim employment won’t shift due to AI,” Connock said. He explained that while some jobs might go, others will evolve. Teams may now include coders or AI experts alongside writers and artists.
TV and Film Are Already Catching On
While Trump’s audiobook made waves in the book world, similar changes are happening in film and television. According to Connock, TV producers are eager to learn how AI can help them compete with social media creators who move quickly and use the latest tech.
Some shows are even testing AI-powered versions of hosts. These digital hosts could talk to viewers in real time, offering a new kind of interactive experience. Imagine watching a cooking show where the host responds to your questions live—even though they’re not a real person.
Big Tech Is Moving Fast
Trump’s AI audiobook came during a big week for artificial intelligence. Google just released a new video model that can match voices to visuals. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Sora, known for turning prompts into short videos, has become one of the most talked-about tools online. Earlier this year, another OpenAI model gained viral fame for creating artwork in the style of Studio Ghibli.
Even with these advances, experts believe full-length movies made completely by AI are still a long way off. But short videos for platforms like TikTok and Instagram? That’s already happening.
Will Books Talk Back in the Future?
Oren Etzioni, a top AI expert, sees an even more interactive future ahead. He imagines readers one day talking directly to the characters in their books.
“Imagine being able to discuss a chapter with Melania Trump—that’s likely not far off,” he said. While the voice may be digital, the experience could feel real.
This new kind of storytelling could change how people learn, read, and even build relationships with fictional characters or public figures.
The Creative Workforce Is Nervous
As exciting as these new tools may be, they come with real worries. Many people who work in media and the arts fear that AI might replace their jobs. In fact, a recent global jobs report found that 41% of employers think AI will lead to job cuts.
In 2023, writers in Hollywood went on strike to protect their work from being taken over by algorithms. Though they won some ground, the fight isn’t over. Voiceover artists, audiobook narrators, and podcast hosts now wonder where they fit in.
But some experts, like Clay Shirky of New York University, believe that deep storytelling jobs, such as investigative journalism, are safer. “Building trust, reporting with care, and telling human stories takes more than data,” he said.
The Future: A New Kind of Creative Team
Connock believes creative departments won’t vanish—they’ll change. Where once a publishing team might include three literature grads, the new team might have a writer, a coder, and an AI expert.
The skills needed are shifting, but human creativity still matters. It’s just being mixed with new tools in new ways.
A Turning Point for Publishing
Trump’s announcement may seem like a small moment. But it marks a big step in how books are made and heard. For now, her AI audiobook is just one product. But it could open the door to a future where books talk back, stories evolve in real time, and anyone—from a celebrity to a small business owner—can turn text into speech with the click of a button.