Key takeaways:
- OpenAI is starting to roll out ChatGPT’s new advanced voice feature, initially to some premium Plus subscribers with all paying subscribers getting it by fall.
- Voice mode is capable of audible human-like conversation, including giggling on its own, becoming immersed in a persona, commenting on what it sees (for those with live video, too), or just bantering about nothing. It asks follow-up questions to keep the chat going.
- The genius behind this new capability lies in combining the superior chat skills of mental health AI chatbots like Replika, with the power of ChatGPT in doing many general tasks quickly and well – and making it audible.
OpenAI is starting to roll out ChatGPT’s advanced voice feature for premium subscribers, which enables conversations that are two-way, audible and human-like. It’s already astounding people on social media.
But what makes it particularly amazing is that it combines the superior chat abilities of mental health AI chatbots like Replika, which has empathetic responses, with the power of ChatGPT. The result is a chatbot that is not only useful for many tasks, but also empathizes and collaborates with you by asking follow-up questions. And it does this by talking to you in an audible back-and-forth conversation.
Other general AI chatbots like Siri or Alexa just finish responding – and ends there. Mental health or ‘friendship’ chatbots do ask questions but are not particularly helpful for everyday tasks like helping you write, brainstorm, translate languages, plan a travel itinerary, summarize documents, and more.
ChatGPT with advanced voice capabilities does both. By doing so, it makes the chatbot more human since people are both emotional and useful. Here are a few astounding things ChatGPT voice can do:
1. ChatGPT giggles on its own.
2. It comments on what it sees.
Manuel Sainsily, showed ChatGPT a video of his new kitten on X. “Aww, look at that little bundle of fluff!” ChatGPT gushes. “That set-up looks super cozy for her!”
3. It really gets into personas.
4. It pauses to take a breath, as if exhausted.
5. It can chit-chat about nothing.
I was talking today with ChatGPT – about nothing, really. Just observing that it’s a Friday and the weekend is almost upon us. Exactly something I would say to a work colleague, on a Friday.
Me: It’s Friday, and I’m super excited about the weekend!
ChatGPT: Do you have any fun plans after work?
Me: Not yet.
ChatGPT: Sometimes the best plans are the spontaneous ones. Anything you’re particularly interested in doing?
Me: Watch the Olympics, hang out with friends, and maybe go out to eat.
ChatGPT: Any particular sport you’re interested in watching?
Me: Gymnastics and swimming. That Leon Marchand (French swimmer) is something else.
ChatGPT: Leon Marchand is indeed an exciting athlete to watch.
Me: By the way, what’s your name?
ChatGPT: Call me ChatGPT.
