Pocket FM taps AI tools to expand content library and boost quality

India-based audio platform Pocket FM is leveraging AI to enrich its content offerings and scale its production capabilities. Despite hosting over 200,000 hours of content, CEO Rohan Nayak emphasised the need for deeper genre coverage and original content. The company has partnered with ElevenLabs to convert written stories into audio series, achieving faster production and significant cost savings. AI models are also being used to adapt stories for diverse regions by handling cultural nuances, ensuring broader appeal across geographies.

Pocket FM is testing AI tools to enhance its creative process. These include a writing assistant that provides alternative plot ideas and insights based on platform data, aiming to empower solo writers with a ‘writer’s room’ experience. A ‘blockbuster engine’ is under development to analyse trends and identify potential hit shows, underscoring the platform’s focus on producing popular content. AI has already contributed to more than 40,000 series on the platform, generating $3 million in revenue.

Despite the benefits, Pocket FM acknowledges challenges in maintaining quality while accelerating production. Industry experts caution that reliance on AI might undermine creativity, with artists needing to ensure authenticity in their work. Nayak affirmed that AI tools are intended to complement rather than replace human creativity. Pocket FM, backed by $197 million in funding, competes with platforms such as Audible and Kuku FM while striving to strike a balance between innovation and content excellence.