Navigating a year of rapid change in Voice Acting
Few sectors of the creative, marketing and advertising economy have seen such a swift transformation as voice‑acting over the past year. Remote work has become the norm, and voice‑cloning tools that once sounded robotic now produce speech that can be hard to distinguish from a real performer. Amid these innovations, demand for authentic voice talent remains strong: brands will still depend on real human voices to connect with audiences.
This blog looks back at 2025 and looks ahead to 2026, drawing on industry surveys, trend reports and expert commentary from key thought leaders in voice acting globally. By understanding what happened, why it matters and what the future holds within the voice acting community, you can make informed decisions about the future direction of your career or casting choices.
KEY TAKEAWAY: 2025 has shown that AI can support voice work in some sectors, but will not fully replace it. Human voices will continue to dominate emotionally driven content, remote working in home studios has become the new normal, and the demand for multilingual, authentic, diverse voices is growing.
How the voice‑acting industry evolved in 2025
Demand remained high for REAL human voice actors
An online platform survey of voice‑over buyers revealed that real voice acting talent is still essential to the global creative sector. More than half of the companies surveyed planned to use real human voice actors for brand marketing in 2025, and nearly half anticipated needing them for animation, broadcast, online ads and television. Digital channels, streaming platforms, social media and online advertising were cited by 58% of respondents as the most influential and effective paid media, due to their hyper targeting. These results underline that real human voices remain a cornerstone of brand storytelling to yield improved engagement. In other words, the majority of brands, broadcasters and content creators still value the authentic human voice actor as a key strategic tool.
AI voices have sparked curiosity and caution
Generative AI voice technology continued to improve in 2025. AI speech can now deliver natural‑sounding phrases and interact with live human responses. Despite these advances, professional buyers approached the use of AI voices cautiously. When asked about AI adoption, survey respondents were almost evenly split: roughly one‑third expressed greater openness than the previous year, and a similar proportion said they were more hesitant. The remainder reported no change in sentiment. Only about one quarter of clients actually tried an AI voice in a project, and most used it for fewer than a quarter of their assignments. Some reported abandoning the use of AI altogether on certain projects, because it was too time-consuming to fine-tune.
The top consideration when choosing an AI voice is how closely the output resembles a human performance, which most presently lack. Cost and quick turnaround are secondary factors. These findings suggest that AI will not quickly replace human voice actors; instead, large language models may see increased adoption into IVR systems, low-cost explainer videos, and offer a fast, low‑cost way to prototype scripts, create guide tracks or localise content, while final recordings will still rely on professional voice actors.
Languages and markets broadened for voice actors
Global audiences are consuming more content in their own languages. In the same survey, 58% of buyers had already worked with or planned to work with non‑English voice acting talent. Spanish ranked as the most requested language after English, followed by French. Nearly half of businesses still prioritised English, but Spanish and interestingly, Chinese were flagged as priority languages for growth.
Technology is accelerating this trend. Speech‑to‑speech translation can transform spoken words from one language to another while preserving the tone. This makes it easier to dub videos and audiobooks or support multilingual customer service. As markets like Latin America and China continue to expand, multilingual skills or the ability to work with translators will become even more valuable.
New genres and immersive voice acting experiences emerged
Voice actors continued to find work in established areas like gaming, audiobooks and e‑learning, but 2025 also saw growth in short‑form and interactive content. Voiceover for social media clips, podcast intros and branded explainers is growing steadily. Emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other immersive media, create new roles for voice talent. As VR and AR become mainstream tools for training, entertainment and wellness, voice actors who can deliver compelling performances in 360‑degree environments will be in high demand.
What it means for voice actors and producers
Audiences and advertisers continue to favour performances that feel human and relatable. Gone are the days when a stereotypical announcer voice could sell anything; listeners now respond better to peer-to-peer conversational reads that sound like a trusted friend or advisor. As AI voices become more common, human warmth and nuance become differentiators. Some filmmakers and advertisers even market their content as “AI‑free” to signal authenticity and their commitment to employing real human voice acting talent.
For voice actors, this means leaning into your unique, authentic sound, whether that’s playful & upbeat or calm and authoritative and learning to deliver dialogue naturally. Investing in general acting skills, such as improvisation, comedic performance and broadening emotional range, will keep you ahead of synthetic AI voices.
Expand your voice acting skill set
Clients increasingly seek talent who can do more than read a script. Many producers value voice actors who also understand audio editing, processing, basic sound design or script consulting. Being able to deliver polished audio from your own studio is now a baseline expectation. Additional skills, such as competency with professional digital audio workstations (DAWs) or coordinating multilingual projects, can elevate your professional profile.
Personal branding and networking also play bigger roles. Showcasing high‑quality demos, maintaining an updated portfolio and engaging with voice acting communities, attending and speaking at voice acting conferences like One Voice, help you stand out in a crowded market. Developing a niche, whether that’s children’s audiobooks, character voices or instructional videos, can further distinguish you from generalist voice actors.
Diversity, inclusion and multilingual proficiency in Voice Acting
Brands are seeking voices that represent a wider range of cultures and dialects to better represent their target audience. Authenticity here means more than just language; it’s about conveying lived experience and cultural nuance. If you speak multiple languages or can authentically perform regional accents, emphasise this expertise. If not, consider accent coaching or partnerships with translators to expand your range as a voice actor.
On the producer side, committing to inclusive casting in voice acting and prioritising underrepresented voices can make campaigns more resonant and socially responsible.
Protect your rights as a voice actor and stay informed
The ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI voices have prompted ongoing negotiations within unions, such as EQUITY in the UK, SAG-AFTRA and NAVA in the USA who represent voice actors. As AI models become more sophisticated, it is vital to ensure that voice actors are fairly compensated when their voices are used to train large language model algorithms. It is therefore vital for voice actors and their representatives to check contracts for clauses that cover AI usage, and stay informed through professional organisations and voice acting industry news channels.
Looking ahead: predictions for Voice Acting in 2026 and beyond
New markets and multilingual growth
Global demand for voice content will continue to diversify. Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Hindi remain key growth languages. Advances in speech‑to‑speech translation make it easier to reach international audiences without reshooting or re-voicing entire projects. Producers will increasingly tailor content to specific regions; voice actors who can navigate cross‑cultural storytelling will be in demand.
Immersive and interactive experiences
As VR and AR applications expand beyond gaming into education, healthcare and corporate training, voice acting talent will be integral to guiding users through these virtual worlds. Interactive stories that offer multiple pathways require actors to deliver varied responses that maintain nuance, empathy and character continuity. Those comfortable with improvisation and non‑linear storytelling will lead the way.
Ethics, trust and emotional realism
Technology can now generate speech that sounds convincingly human, yet it still struggles with emotional depth and range. Consumers and regulators are calling for transparency around AI voice data and emphasising that synthetic voices should never mislead audiences. Brands that emphasise ethical sourcing and human involvement will build trust. Voice artists should be prepared to answer questions about how AI may have been used in a project and advocate for fair use of their data.
Continuous learning and adaptability
The pace of change in voice created technology and media consumption is relentless. To keep up, voice actors and producers need to cultivate a sense of curiosity. Seek out training in acting, audio engineering, dialects and new technologies. Network with peers and mentors to share strategies. Embrace a mindset of lifelong learning; those who evolve with the industry will thrive, and consequently those wo don’t will inevitably be left behind.
The events of 2025 demonstrate that the voice‑acting industry is neither at risk nor immune to change. Authentic voices remain essential for brand storytelling and emotionally charged content. AI tools, remote production and globalisation are expanding opportunities, not shrinking them.
As you prepare for 2026, focus on amplifying what makes your voice special. Invest in your home studio, learn to use the tools, collaborate with AI ethically, and stay informed about market trends. Explore new genres and languages, and advocate for fair compensation and ethical data use. By blending traditional craft with emerging technology, you can navigate a future where human and synthetic voices coexist to create richer, more inclusive and more engaging stories.
Interested in a career in Voice Acting?
Gravy for the brain, www.gravyforthebrain.com, is the world’s biggest online voice acting training academy. It offers mentorship, courses, webinars, workshops, one-to-one training, rate guides, tech help, studio building advice and a shop, plus a vibrant, supportive community to help you start and build your career, refine your craft, understand the latest technology and find your niche.
Gravy for the Brain is a one-stop shop for everyone in voice acting, no matter what stage you find yourself. You will always feel supported and never alone.
Download our comprehensive free PDF for deeper, valuable insights and sign up for a discounted membership offer on our world-class training platform. Together, we’ll ensure your voice remains the heart of every story. As we always say, every voice needs to be heard.