OpenAI introduced a new feature a few months ago. Specifically, ChatGPT users can now have voice conversations with on Android and iOS since September, thus providing the option to have real back-and-forth interactions with the chatbot if they wish.
At the time, the company only made the feature available to Plus and Enterprise subscribers, with the promise that it would eventually roll it out to other user groups. Now, Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI, has announced on X that voice conversations in ChatGPT have begun rolling out to all free users on mobile devices.
When the company first introduced voice conversations, it admitted that the ability to create “realistic synthetic voices from just a few seconds of real speech” presented new risks. For example, it could allow malicious individuals to impersonate public figures or anyone they wish.
As a result, they decided that ChatGPT’s voice feature will focus on conversations. It is powered by a text-to-speech model that can generate “human-like audio from just text and a few seconds of sample speech.” OpenAI worked with voice actors to create the capability and offers five different voices to choose from.
Some free users have already tested ChatGPT’s voice chat feature, and have highlighted certain utilities that this innovative advancement allows. For example, now you can ask ChatGPT for a 100-word listening in English (American or British) on the topic you want, all taking into account your level.
Another X user mentions that “You have to get the point but when it happens, it makes your walks a lot more enjoyable.” Furthermore, he adds that it is a functionality that he really likes and about which very little is being said. Meanwhile, another individual recognizes that he is using him to explain the class lesson and then take tests.
Brockman announced the feature’s wide availability after leaving his role as president of OpenAI. The American software developer resigned of his own volition after the company’s board of directors fired Sam Altman as CEO.
This latest development caused chaos with senior staff members resigning in protest and the rest of the employees threatening to resign unless he is reinstated. Shortly after making the announcement, OpenAI announced that Altman and Brockman had been reinstated and would return to their positions.
