OpenAI Gives ChatGPT a Voice for Verbal Conversations

OpenAI added speech and image-based smarts to ChatGPT today, making it more than a text-based search engine.

With its ability to write essays, poetry, and summaries from text-based prompts, the generative AI assistant has become one of the biggest technology success stories of recent months. Users can now speak to ChatGPT, making it more engaging.

Amazon announced on the same day that it would invest up to $4 billion in OpenAI rival Anthropic, part of a larger generative AI battle between tech giants that includes Google trying to catch up with its Bard chatbot, Meta adopting an open source ethos to gain a foothold, and Microsoft closely aligning with OpenAI.

Conversation Starter

Now that OpenAI has combined voice-based assistants with its formidable massive language models, the generative AI movement has advanced.

A user can ask ChatGPT to conjure up a bedtime story with a few vocal instructions. If the user asks a question, ChatGPT will speak its answer.

In other places, ChatGPT users can upload a photo and ask it to describe what it is or how to complete a goal.

A new text-to-speech model generates human-like voices from text and a few seconds of sampled speech for the voice feature. OpenAI worked with established voice actors to generate five voices and transcribed verbal utterances into text using their open source Whisper speech recognition algorithm.

Spotify as Launch Partners

Spotify was announced as a launch partner, bringing a cool new feature for podcasters that lets them sample their voice and convert their shows from English to Spanish, French, or German while keeping their original sound. OpenAI has launched this technology with podcasters like Dax Shepard, Monica Padman, Lex Fridman, Bill Simmons, and Steven Bartlett, seemingly to avoid criticism.

“The new voice technology — capable of crafting realistic synthetic voices from just a few seconds of real speech — opens doors to many creative and accessibility-focused applications,” the company wrote in a blog post. “However, these capabilities also present new risks, such as the potential for malicious actors to impersonate public figures or commit fraud.”

In two weeks, paid Plus and Enterprise subscribers will get the new features. Go to “settings” in the app, then “new features” and opt-in to voice discussions to activate voice features. Tap the headphone button in the top-right corner and choose a voice.

Images will be available on all platforms by default, while voice will be confined to the ChatGPT Android and iOS apps in opt-in beta.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to “OpenAI Gives ChatGPT A Voice”;

1. What is ChatGPT with a voice?

ChatGPT with a voice is an advanced version of ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. It combines the text-based capabilities of ChatGPT with the ability to generate spoken responses, enabling more natural and engaging conversations.

2. How does ChatGPT generate spoken responses?

ChatGPT generates spoken responses using a text-to-speech (TTS) system. It converts the text-based responses generated by the model into spoken language, making it sound more human-like and conversational.

3. What are the potential applications of ChatGPT with a voice?

ChatGPT with a voice has a wide range of applications, including virtual assistants, customer support chatbots, interactive storytelling, accessibility tools for individuals with speech disabilities, and more. It can enhance the conversational abilities of AI systems in various domains.

4. Is ChatGPT with a voice available for public use?

OpenAI has made ChatGPT with a voice available for developers and researchers through an API. It is currently in a research preview phase, and developers can apply to access it and integrate it into their applications.

5. How accurate is the voice generated by ChatGPT?

The accuracy and naturalness of the voice generated by ChatGPT depend on the underlying text-to-speech technology. OpenAI has worked to make the voice generation as human-like as possible, but there may still be limitations in certain contexts.

6. Can I customize the voice of ChatGPT with a voice?

OpenAI’s ChatGPT with a voice currently offers a default voice, and customization options may be limited. However, OpenAI is actively working on improving and expanding the capabilities of the system.

7. What languages and accents does ChatGPT with a voice support?

The language and accent support for ChatGPT with a voice may vary and depend on the specific implementation and model version. OpenAI is working to enhance language support over time.

8. Is ChatGPT with a voice capable of real-time conversation?

ChatGPT with a voice is designed for interactive conversations, but the speed of response may vary depending on the application and infrastructure used. It can engage in back-and-forth dialogues with users.

9. How does ChatGPT with a voice address privacy and security concerns?

OpenAI is committed to ensuring user privacy and security. Developers using the API are encouraged to follow OpenAI’s guidelines and best practices for responsible AI deployment, including data handling and user consent.

10. What are the future plans for ChatGPT with a voice?

These FAQs provide insights into ChatGPT with a voice, its capabilities, applications, and considerations for developers and users interested in utilizing this technology.