Sam Altman-led OpenAI has begun the gradual rollout of its advanced voice mode to a select group of ChatGPT Plus users, as announced by the Microsoft-backed (MSFT.O) Artificial Intelligence start-up in a post on X on Tuesday. 

The company postponed the launch of the realistic voice conversation feature to July, moving it from its original late-June schedule, citing the need for additional time to meet its quality standards. 

GPT-4o’s voice diverse features 

The latest audio features enable users to speak to ChatGPT and receive real-time responses without delay. You can interrupt ChatGPT while it’s talking. You can also experience both tenets of realistic and natural conversations that have been difficult for AI assistants to master. 

Unlike the robotic voice typically linked to digital assistants like Alexa or Siri, the advanced voice mode of ChatGPT delivers natural sounds impressively. It can make giggling noises when a user cracks a joke. It can also assess a speaker’s emotional condition based on their vocal tone. 

Where will you get ChatGPT new voice feature installation pop up? 

OpenAI announced it was releasing ChatGPT’s new voice feature slowly to monitor its usage closely. Users in the alpha group will get an alert in the ChatGPT app. You will get an email with instructions on how to use it.  

After the demo, OpenAI conducted comprehensive evaluations of GPT-4o’s voice features with a diverse group of more than 100 external specialists. It covers 45 languages, to identify possible safety concerns and improvements. 

OpenAI has announced that the Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT four present voices—Juniper, Breeze, Cove and Ember. They were made in collaboration with paid professional voice actors. 

The company is striving to introduce new generative AI products to maintain its edge in the booming AI race, where businesses are quickly embracing this technology.

ChatGPT-4o’s voice feature controversy 

GPT-4o’s voice feature is eerily reminiscent of Scarlett Johansson’s voice of Samantha in the film Her, with one of the voices named Sky.   

The actor also thought the same and decided to take legal action against the company. OpenAI initially denied claims of using Johansson’s voice but later removed the voice featured in its demo.  

OpenAI further announced in June that it would delay the launch of Advanced Voice Mode to enhance its safety protocols. 

Current availability for ChatGPT-4o premium users

The advanced voice feature works with the most powerful version of the chatbot, ChatGPT-4o, which is set to launch for premium users. It will initially be introduced to a selective group of subscribers using the app’s “Plus” mode, with plans to extend its availability to all Plus users.