The BBC has launched a new trial that uses a Generative AI tool to help us add subtitles and transcripts to content on BBC Sounds.
The trial is using a tool called Whisper AI to generate a high quality transcript of the audio that’s then reviewed by a member of the editorial team.
An initial five programmes have been selected for the trial; : In Touch, Access All, Profile, Sporting Witness and Economics with Subtitles. Further shows may be added during the course of the trial with a full review taking place after three months.
“The way it works is that on the web version of BBC Sounds, when playing programmes in the trial users will now see a new “subtitles” button in the play bar on the right hand side next to the settings and speed buttons,” explains Aniruddh Dimri, Head of product, BBC Sounds. “This looks the same as our accessibility icon on BBC iPlayer. Pressing this icon will make subtitles appear on screen, showing the words being said as they’re spoken just as they would on TV or BBC iPlayer.”
Subtitles are now available on the web version of BBC Sounds, and the transcripts are available on the Android version of the BBC Sounds app – and will come to the iOS version in the coming weeks.
