Audible, an Amazon-owned company, has rolled out new features designed to enhance the audiobook listening experience, including generative AI-powered interactive stories. These updates were introduced on Thursday, 1 October 2026, as the company faces increased competition in the audiobook market.
One of the new features allows listeners to engage in interactive stories by conversing with a book's character. Powered by generative AI, this feature will first appear in the Audible Original “Dracula,” where listeners can interact with Dracula’s servant, Renfield. The character initiates the interaction by providing a role, goal, and stakes, with the listener then responding in their own words, and the character reacting in real time.
Another new feature is a character guide, which will help listeners track characters in real time. For the Audible Original “Dracula,” the guide will display who is speaking directly on the player page and provide spoiler-free character cards with narrator bios. This guide is also set to be available for George Orwell’s “1984” and the forthcoming Audible Original “Exoplanet.”
A third feature offers additional imagery and bonus information about landmarks or places mentioned in books. This will initially be available for “The Cultural Tutor: A Modern Guide to History, Art, and Philosophy in 49 Short Chapters” by Sheehan Quirke.