OpenAI Starts Rolling Out Its Her-Like Voice Mode for ChatGPT

A Voice to Remember

OpenAI's latest voice mode brings a new level of interaction to ChatGPT, enhancing its ability to understand and respond to voice commands seamlessly. This mode had drawn attention and criticism for its uncanny resemblance to Scarlett Johansson's AI character in "Her." However, OpenAI has made significant changes to address these concerns.

Launch Event Highlights

At the GPT-4 launch event, OpenAI demonstrated the impressive capabilities of the new voice mode. Onstage, OpenAI employees interacted with ChatGPT, interrupting it and requesting it to narrate stories in various styles. The chatbot handled these interruptions with ease, showcasing its adaptability and advanced conversational skills.

Addressing Safety and Ethical Concerns

The release of the advanced voice mode was initially planned for late June. However, OpenAI postponed the rollout to ensure the feature met the company's safety standards. According to OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson, the delay allowed the team to enhance the model's ability to detect and refuse inappropriate content. This included rigorous testing with over 100 external red teamers tasked with identifying potential vulnerabilities.

In response to concerns about impersonation and copyright infringement, OpenAI implemented new filters to prevent the generation of music or other copyrighted audio. Christianson noted, "We’ve made it so that ChatGPT cannot impersonate other people’s voices, both individuals and public figures, and will block outputs that differ from one of these preset voices."

Voices You Can Trust

To avoid legal and ethical complications, ChatGPT's new voice mode will only feature four preset voices created with professional voice actors. This decision follows an incident where Scarlett Johansson sent letters to OpenAI questioning the use of a voice similar to hers. By limiting the voice options, OpenAI aims to ensure that ChatGPT remains a trustworthy and ethical tool.

What’s Next for ChatGPT Plus Users?

OpenAI plans to extend the new voice mode to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers by fall. This rollout is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance user experience while maintaining high safety and ethical standards.