Pocket FM Bets on AI to Become the “Netflix of Audio”

 

India-based audio series platform Pocket FM wants to be the Netflix of audio — delivering long-running, binge-worthy shows tailored to each listener’s taste. To make that happen, the Lightspeed-backed startup is turning to AI to speed up production.

 

Its new AI writing suite, CoPilot, is rolling out to all writers and offers tools to refine narratives, create dialogue from prose, suggest cliffhanger endings, boost character conflict, and even recommend background sound effects. It can also summarize plotlines, maintain character arcs, and review episodes for grammar, plot consistency, and engagement.

 

Pocket FM has been using AI for voice generation (via ElevenLabs) and internal writing tests. With CoPilot, the goal is to cut writing time and boost output. In trials, the tool improved writer productivity by up to 50% in Germany and helped create error-free drafts that increased listener retention.

 

AI is also helping Pocket FM expand globally. Its adaptation tools not only translate scripts but also localize names, phrases, and cultural references. This reduced new-market launch timelines from over a year to under three months. In the U.S., AI-assisted series now make up 10% of total playtime and have generated $7M in the past year while slashing production costs by two to three times.

 

Looking ahead, Pocket FM plans to launch its own large language model by next year, built from its massive library of shows. It’s also experimenting with converting stories into comics and exploring micro-dramas and video formats.

 

But AI adoption has trade-offs. The company has laid off staff over the past year, faced wage-related lawsuits in California, and raised concerns about quality and over-reliance on AI-generated content. Pocket FM says its moderation framework screens for originality, duplication, and content health, and insists that AI is a creative aid — not a replacement — for writers.

 

“Faster content creation doesn’t dilute quality,” a spokesperson said. “It shifts the writer’s role toward editing, refining, and steering more productive output.”