I speak both languages and you are dead on. Maybe a simple link mix up ?

You are right.

English version says: "So... I'm just gonna open up for questions. Anything you wanna know... you know... as usual on any(?) subject but probably about what we are doing today"

Spanish version says: "Bienvenido a [...] 2012 donde (...) podrá ver de primera mano como Microsoft Research esta estudiando las tendencias tecnologicas clave que definirán el siglo 21."

Which translates to something like: "Welcome to [...] 2012 where (you)'ll be able to see firsthand how Microsoft Research is studying the key tendencies that will define the 21st century."

yes,the italian audio is about contemporary bookwriters, the spanish one seems to welcome users to this new Microsoft Research projects, while the english one is a request for questions.

And I agree the audio is mechanical and seems the usual text-to-speech, maybe a little better

Hey! I'm the author of the story.

I think Technology Review got them mixed up (which is where I got the audio samples from). I first saw it in the TechFest keynote: http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/dl.aspx?id=160725

I think Technology Review has an English clip from Mundie, but then translations of Rick Rashid speaking in the keynote.

Sorry about the mix-up :(

(And I wish I spoke another language...)