Adapted by:
Javier Márquez
WriterI've been in media for over a decade, but I've been marveling at the possibilities that technology brings us much longer. I believe we live in a world where the digital revolution is changing everything and that Xataka is the best place to write about it.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Artificial intelligence continues to make significant advancements in sectors that were previously unimaginable. What started with a revolution in software development is now impacting several other fields.
For instance, the emergence of “vibe coding” is transforming the rules of programming. It refers to a new method of programming that relies on natural language prompts, eliminating the need for traditional coding. Additionally, tools such as OpenAI’s DALL-E and Adobe Firefly are redefining visual creation by enabling the generation of images and videos from text descriptions.
AI is impacting voice professionals. For the past few months, YouTube has allowed some creators to use automatic dubbing powered by AI, although it’s now available to all members of the YouTube Partner Program. With the auto dubbing tool, videos can more easily reach global audiences, offering an alternative to traditional dubbing and post-production methods.
Enabled by default. One notable aspect of this feature is that it’s activated by default. If a video is uploaded in English, YouTube will automatically dub it into several languages, including Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese. If the video is in one of these languages, the platform will generate an English version. YouTube’s goal is to “break down language barriers.”
Creators who prefer not to use the automatic dubbing feature can easily deactivate it. They must log into YouTube Studio on a computer and navigate to Settings > Upload defaults > Advanced settings. There, they should uncheck the Allow automatic dubbing box and click Save. Creators can also manually review the dubbing before publishing if they wish to maintain more control over the final result.
Room for improvement. Translations may not always be accurate, and the generated voice may not truly represent the original creation. YouTube admits that factors such as intonation, emotional tone, and cultural nuances aren’t always effectively translated. The auto dubbing feature relies on Google DeepMind and Google Translate technology, but even with this infrastructure, not all videos can be successfully dubbed. Aspects such as the original accent, background noise, the use of slang, and even specific proper names can impact the quality of the dubbing.
To determine if a video has been auto-dubbed, look for the “Auto-dubbed” tag. You can also switch audio tracks from the player menu by clicking on the gear icon in the lower right corner. The audio language will adapt to the user’s preferred setting, making the experience, in many cases, more seamless.
You can see the feature’s functionality in the video below:
Context. YouTube had previously taken steps toward real dubbing with professional actors. The Multi-language audio feature allowed creators like MrBeast to offer multilingual versions of their videos using professional voice actors. MrBeast even featured the voice actress of Naruto in his Japanese-dubbed videos. This strategy aimed to expand content reach without sacrificing quality, allowing these videos to connect with new audiences.
MrBeast wasn’t the only one. According to YouTube, multi-language videos received more than 15% of their viewing time from audiences watching in a language other than the original. By January 2023, users were consuming more than 2 million hours of dubbed content daily.
The expansion of this feature to all Partner Program members is contributing to the increased use of AI-generated voices on the platform. This raises questions about how technology will integrate into the professional dubbing ecosystem.
Some creators may choose the automatic alternative for certain types of content, especially informative or structured pieces. However, in formats where vocal interpretation adds key nuances, the role of dubbing professionals remains difficult to replace. Development is ongoing, and the balance between technology and creativity continues to evolve.
Image | NordWood Themes
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