AI podcast: How to create episodes completely with an AI voice

An AI podcast makes it possible to produce complete podcast episodes without being in front of the microphone yourself. Thanks to specialized AI tools, script, voice and audio are created almost completely automatically — ideal for anyone who has content but has no time or desire to record and edit.

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KI podcast: How does it work without your own recording?

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In the KI podcast, three steps are taken by AI:

• Prepare content: Texts, articles, slides or notes are structured into a script.
• Create voice: A synthetic voice reads the script — either a generic voice or a cloned brand voice.
• Play audio: The tool creates the finished audio file, partly including music and pauses.

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So you don't need a studio, a microphone or a classic speaker. Your task: Define topics, deliver material, check quality — a suitable tool workflow does the rest.

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Which preliminary considerations are important?

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Before you choose a tool, three questions help - similar to those described in the founder article:

• 1. What content is already available?
  Blog articles, newsletters, PDFs, slides, training materials, YouTube videos... The more material, the more exciting content recycling tools become.
• 2. Which format do you want?
  Short news snacks, solo explanatory format, conversation between two hosts, video podcast with avatar?
• 3. How important is a recognizable brand voice to you?
  Is a neutral AI voice enough, or do you (or your brand) want to be perceived as a recurring voice — ideally via voice cloning?

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The four tools in focus solve these issues differently — that's exactly what we're looking at now.

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AI podcast tools at a glance:

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The tools presented in the founder article cover four typical scenarios: script-to-podcast with or without avatar, high-quality brand voice, content recycling, and conversation podcasts.

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HeyGen: AI podcast with avatar and clear workflows

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HeyGen is aimed at anyone who wants to produce podcasts (and often video podcasts) in series - without saying a single word themselves. The tool takes your script and uses it to generate audio or a combination of avatar + voice.

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Typical process in HeyGen:

• Insert script or have it generated from existing texts
• Select a suitable AI voice (over 300 voices in more than 175 languages)
• Optionally choose an avatar and upload a photo
• Render and export episode

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Strengths for your AI podcast:

• very clear, guided process: ideal for series formats
• Podcast can be played in parallel as a video podcast
• extremely good multilingualism — helpful for international target groups

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When does HeyGen fit?
If you regularly plan identically structured episodes (sections, news updates, standard intros) and value ease of use and video options.

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ElevenLabs: Brand voice and voice cloning for podcasts

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ElevenLabs focuses on the voice - and is considered a reference for natural-sounding text-to-speech and voice cloning. Your script becomes high-quality audio that is very close to human intonation, emotion and pauses.

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Key options:

• Choose from a very large voice library in many languages
• Voice Cloning your own voice or a brand voice (with consent)
• Fine adjustments for tempo, tone, and emotion

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Strengths for your AI podcast:

• maximum natural and recognizable voice (own brand)
• very flexible for dialog formats with multiple voices
• ideal if audio quality is paramount and you use the podcast in a corporate environment, for example

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When does ElevenLabs fit in?
If you want to set up a “signature voice” for your AI podcast and it is important to you that every episode sounds equally high-quality - regardless of the day or studio.

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Monica: AI podcast from web, PDFs and videos

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monica Play to their strengths when you already have lots of content but don't have time for manual scripting. The tool converts web pages, YouTube videos, PDFs or plain text into podcasts with one click.

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Typical use for your AI podcast:

• You feed Monica with blog articles, landing pages or white papers
• The tool extracts core content and creates a structured audio episode
• You can work on a desktop or mobile — virtually “produce on the go”

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Strengths:

• perfect for content recycling (text/video → podcast)
• fast path from existing content to audio output
• well suited for learning formats, news updates, summaries

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When does Monica fit in?
If your brand already publishes a lot of texts or videos and you want to turn them into a regular AI podcast without studio effort.

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NotebookLM: Conversation podcast from your sources

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NotebookLM from Google is taking a different approach: A dialogic podcast is created from your documents - two AI hosts discuss your content, explain the background and ask questions. The Audio Overview feature is often described as a “podcast from your notes.”

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Here is how it works:

• You create a notebook and upload sources (docs, PDFs, websites, slides...)
• NotebookLM analyses the content and generates a conversation flow
• two AI hosts will guide you through the topics — now available in many languages

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Strengths:

• very good for knowledge and learning podcasts based on existing documents
• The dialogic format is more lively than simply “reading aloud”
• exciting option to prepare complex content for beginners

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When does NotebookLM fit?
If you want to transfer training materials, internal guides or extensive technical texts into a conversation format without being a moderator yourself.

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Which AI podcast tool fits which goal?

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Strongly modified after the comparison in the founder's contribution, the choice of tools can be summarized as follows:

• Brand voice & authenticity in focus → ElevenLabs
  When timbre, recognition and fine-tuned emotions are paramount.
• Series production and video podcast → HeyGen
  If you want to produce many episodes in a similar format and use video avatars right away.
• Content recycling from text and video → Monica
  When you want to efficiently turn existing content into audio.
• Dialogical knowledge formats → NotebookLM
  If you want an AI-led conversation podcast based on your documents.

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Many creators combine the tools: e.g. content structure in NotebookLM, audio generation with ElevenLabs, or content recycling in Monica plus fine-tuning in a dedicated audio editor.

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AI podcast workflows: 4 example processes

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Workflow 1 — brand voice with ElevenLabs

• Create a script from your notes or blog posts using AI
• Clone your voice in ElevenLabs (with clear consent and legal framework)
• Let the episode be recorded, adjust the tempo & emotion
• If necessary, post-process and publish audio in an editor

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Workflow 2 — series podcast with HeyGen

• Create a defined structure (intro, category A, category B, conclusion) as a template
• Update script per episode (news, tips, examples)
• Select voice & avatar if necessary, create an episode with just a few clicks
• Play an audio or video podcast on your channels

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Workflow 3 — Content recycling with Monica

• Collect inventory of articles, PDFs, or YouTube videos
• Select a central topic or cluster per episode
• Load sources into Monica, have them automatically prepared for audio
• Check generated audio, combine it with an external voice if necessary and publish

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Workflow 4 — Knowledge dialog with NotebookLM

• Fill the notebook with relevant sources (guides, white papers, manuals)
• Set the target group and tone in the settings
• Audio Overview/ Let podcast variant be created
• Listen to the dialog, adjust and regenerate sources as needed

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Step-by-step to the first episode

A streamlined process that allows you to start without recording yourself:

1. Define format & goal (news, knowledge, Q&A, training).
2. Select tool (HeyGen, ElevenLabs, Monica, NotebookLM — depending on the destination).
3. Gather material (articles, notes, slides, FAQs).
4. Generate script — in the respective platform or in a text model.
5. Select AI voice — suitable for the brand, language and mood.
6. Generate and rehearse an episode — pay attention to intelligibility, tempo, tone of voice.
7. Fine-tuning & publishing — Create titles, show notes, teaser text and publish episodes on the chosen hosting.

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Quality, transparency and legislation

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Even if your AI podcast sounds “fully automated” — legally, it remains normal media content. You should therefore:

• Respect sources: Don't simply have texts and studies read in 1:1 without clarification of rights and correct citation.
• Only use voice cloning with permission: You can only clone other people's voices if they expressly agree to this.
• Maintain transparency: It is recommended to clarify that AI voices are used — for example in show notes or in the intro.
• Observe data protection: If internal documents or customer data serve as a basis, tools should be integrated in accordance with data protection regulations and ideally used via company accounts.

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This not only keeps your AI podcast efficient, but also legally clean and trustworthy.

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AI podcast: FAQ

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Can I create an entire podcast using just AI?

Yes — the tools presented are designed to do just that. Script, voice, and audio are completely created by AI when you deliver the content. In practice, however, it makes sense to always incorporate human quality control before you publish.

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Do I still need a microphone or studio for that?

No, you don't have to say anything yourself for a purely AI-based podcast. A microphone can be helpful if you want to incorporate intros, personal messages, or mixes with a real voice later on — it's not mandatory.

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Which tool is suitable for getting started?

For quick tests, all-in-one tools such as Monica or HeyGen are usually the easiest. If you value a very high-quality brand voice, it's worth taking a look at ElevenLabs early on. NotebookLM is particularly exciting for learning and knowledge formats with many documents.

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How do I prevent the AI podcast from sounding “robotic”?

The key lies not so much in the tool but in the script: short sentences, clear structure, examples, rhetorical questions and breaks. In addition, you can adjust tempo, tone, and emotion in the tools, or work with two voices to make the episode more lively.

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KI podcast: Conclusion

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An AI podcast massively lowers production hurdles: Instead of studio, technology and recording plan, you need good content and a well-thought-out workflow. Tools such as HeyGen, ElevenLabs, Monica and NotebookLM cover various scenarios — from scalable series format to high-quality brand voice to dialogical knowledge podcast.

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If you clearly define what goal you are pursuing and what material is already available, you can set up a professional-sounding AI podcast with very little effort — completely without your own voice.

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The KI Company helps companies strategically embed AI podcasts into content and marketing concepts: from tool selection and workflows to script design and integration into existing channels. If you want to turn texts, training materials or blog articles into an audible format, you can always contact us without obligation.