Audible Adds AI Character Chats and Visual Explorer

Audible has introduced three AI-powered listening features called Character Guide, Interactive Stories, and Visual Explorer. Character Guide can identify who is speaking in real time and show spoiler-free character cards with narrator information on supported titles. Interactive Stories lets listeners hold natural-language conversations with fictional characters in separate bonus experiences whose personalities and boundaries are defined with creators. Visual Explorer adds maps and imagery at selected moments without requiring listeners to leave the audiobook. The tools are launching in beta across a limited set of titles, including Dracula and 1984, with additional availability planned. Audible says creators help shape the experiences rather than allowing unrestricted AI generation. The company is using the features to make audiobook listening more interactive as market competition increases.

Digital Trends, Shikhar Mehrotra – Audible’s new AI features let you talk to characters and see what you’re hearing – 1st October 2026