OpenAI has begun introducing Advanced Voice Mode to ChatGPT Plus users. This new feature enhances the natural flow of conversations, accommodating interruptions and emotional responses. The initial rollout will bring the feature only to a select number of users.
ChatGPT Plus Advanced Voice Mode is Rolling Out to Select Users
The Qualified users will get an email detailing how to activate this feature on the website and mobile apps. OpenAI will expand the feature rollout gradually. Therefore, all Plus subscribers will have access to Advanced Voice Mode by this fall.
The new audio capabilities will enable users to converse with ChatGPT and receive immediate responses, as well as interrupt ChatGPT mid-speech—key elements of realistic conversations that have been challenging for AI assistants to achieve.
The current implementation of Advanced Voice Mode includes four preset voices created by OpenAI in partnership with voice actors. The company aims to make the service both safer and more enjoyable for users. The feature, when paired with the ability to read and respond to voice emotions, makes ChatGPT the most realistic and natural-feeling voice chat service available. It even surpasses many existing AI tools.
ChatGPT Plus, which leverages the GPT-4 large language model, offers enhanced intelligence along with features like file uploads, vision and web browsing capabilities, and DALL-E image generation. This subscription service is priced at $20 per month before taxes.
Advanced Voice Mode Was Demoed This Fall and Faced Criticism
The feature, initially demonstrated by OpenAI at its GPT-4 launch event in May, faced criticism for sounding too similar to Scarlett Johansson and was subsequently delayed for safety reasons. During the event, the new voice mode showcased significant improvements over ChatGPT’s existing voice capabilities. OpenAI employees demonstrated its flexibility by interrupting the chatbot and asking it to tell a story in various ways, to which the chatbot seamlessly adapted its responses.
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The advanced mode was initially scheduled for alpha release in late June. However, OpenAI postponed the rollout by one month. The company explained it had to meet its launch standards. The delay was used to enhance the model’s ability to detect and refuse inappropriate content.
OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson mentioned that the company tested the voice model’s capabilities with over 100 external red teamers, individuals who attempt to identify weaknesses in technology. Given the recent scrutiny OpenAI has faced regarding its safety policies, this pause seems prudent. Additionally, OpenAI has implemented new filters designed to recognize and block requests to generate music or other copyrighted audio.
During OpenAI’s event, a major criticism of the new mode was how much the onstage voice, named “Sky”. It resembled Scarlett Johansson, who portrayed an AI personality in the movie Her. Although the voice was part of ChatGPT before OpenAI’s spring demo, the company removed it. The move happened after Johansson revealed she had sent letters to OpenAI inquiring about the voice’s creation.
OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson stated that ChatGPT’s new mode will exclusively use four preset voices developed with voice actors. She emphasized, “We’ve ensured that ChatGPT cannot impersonate other people’s voices, including both individuals and public figures, and will block outputs that differ from one of these preset voices.”
Conclusion
The company has been actively developing new generative AI products to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly growing AI market, as businesses race to adopt this technology. With the rise of AI and the arrival of multiple competitors, it’s natural for OpenAI to work hard to keep the edge for its ChatGPT assistant. The AI that started this trend still offers one of the best experiences when compared to its competitors. Naturally, OpenAI will work hard to keep things that way. With Advanced Voice Mode, it seems that we’re getting close to what can be “seen” in the “Her” movie.
