Germany’s media giant Bertelsmann has recently announced a strategic partnership with AI firm ElevenLabs to leverage its platforms and tools in order to foster innovation and enhance production processes across various Bertelsmann businesses.

The collaboration aims to explore how ElevenLabs’ tools, based in London, can assist Bertelsmann in developing new products while also optimizing and expediting the production, marketing, and distribution of existing content.

As one of Europe’s largest media conglomerates, Bertelsmann encompasses a diverse portfolio of companies including RTL Group, Penguin Random House, BMG, and various other entities in the realms of television, publishing, music, and more.

The collaboration aims to utilize ElevenLabs’ tools to enhance audio production capabilities, with a focus on lifelike voice and sound generation to support production and pre-production processes across Bertelsmann units. The use of AI tools is expected to drive efficiency and creativity, ultimately leading to the creation of compelling new products.

Rhys Nölke, Chief Data Officer at Bertelsmann, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “With Bertelsmann’s Tech & Data Alliance and its recently founded AI Hub, we have been at the forefront of applying new technologies across our businesses. ElevenLabs’ sophisticated AI solutions are cutting edge, ensuring high-quality audio experiences.”

ElevenLabs, known for its expertise in audio production and AI models, has secured licensing agreements with notable figures in media and entertainment, including Judy Garland, Burt Reynolds, and Deepak Chopra. The collaboration with Chopra led to the development of a unique AI chatbot, “Digital Deepak,” trained in Chopra’s voice and content.

Mati Staniszewski, CEO of ElevenLabs, emphasized the partnership’s focus on pushing the boundaries of storytelling and enhancing content accessibility. The partners highlighted that 36 units within the Bertelsmann group are already utilizing ElevenLabs’ AI tools.

Together, Bertelsmann and ElevenLabs aim to harness the power of AI to empower creators and enhance the storytelling experience, rather than replacing human creativity with technology.