OpenAI finally launches the improved voice feature for ChatGPT

AI specialist OpenAI is now finally able to officially provide Advanced Voice Mode (AVM) to customers. They can now simply talk to ChatGPT instead of typing their conversation with the chatbot.

Hello, blue ball

The improved audio function, which was already shown in May, will initially only be available to customers of the paid subscription levels “Plus” and “Teams”. However, other corporate customers and educational institutions will also have access from next week, the company announced.

As part of the introduction, the design of the AVM was revised. Instead of the black dots previously used, the function is now represented by an animated blue ball. As soon as AVM is activated for a user, a pop-up appears in the ChatGPT app next to the language symbol. Demo of the new extended voice function for ChatGPT

In addition to the improvements to the voice mode, OpenAI is introducing five new voices: Arbor, Maple, Sol, Spruce and Vale. This brings the total number of available voices to nine. The previously available voice “Sky” remains absent.

Actress Scarlett Johansson had threatened legal action because OpenAI allegedly used the AI voice of the same name from the film “Her” without permission. However, some functions that OpenAI has already announced are not yet available.

These include the video and screen sharing function, which is intended to enable users to process visual and auditory information simultaneously. OpenAI has not yet given a specific timetable for the introduction.

Now with memory

However, OpenAI says it has made some improvements since the first test phase of the enhanced voice mode. The voice function is now better able to understand accents and conversations are said to be smoother and faster overall.

OpenAI is also expanding the personalization features. Users can now give individual instructions on how ChatGPT should respond to them and the “Memory” function allows the system to save and refer back to previous conversations. AVM is currently not available in all regions, users in the EU, UK, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein will have to wait.