OpenAI has recently released the highly anticipated Voice Mode update for ChatGPT, but it seems that users won’t be able to experience the voice of Scarlett Johansson. The company faced backlash after including a voice option in the AI model that sounded eerily similar to Johansson’s portrayal of a digital assistant in the movie “Her”. As a result, OpenAI decided to remove this voice option from the available presets.
The announcement of the rollout was made on Tuesday through X (formerly Twitter), stating that the update is now available to a small group of ChatGPT Plus subscribers. OpenAI plans to gradually expand access to more users and aims to make it available to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers by the fall.
OpenAI has taken measures to ensure privacy and prevent misuse of the Voice Mode feature. They have trained the AI model to only speak in the four preset voices and have implemented systems to block outputs that differ from those voices. Additionally, they have implemented safeguards to prevent requests for violent or copyrighted content.
If you’re a ChatGPT Plus subscriber wondering if you’re part of the initial group with access to Voice Mode, OpenAI has provided clarification. Users included in this alpha phase will receive an email with instructions and a message in their mobile app.
The release of the Voice Mode update was initially planned for June but was delayed. OpenAI has assured users that they will share a detailed report on the capabilities, limitations, and safety evaluations of GPT-4o, the AI model powering ChatGPT, in early August. Along with the Voice Mode update, OpenAI has also announced several additional features that will be included in the update.
Overall, the release of the Voice Mode update for ChatGPT is an exciting development for users. While the Scarlett Johansson-like voice option may have been removed due to legal concerns, OpenAI continues to prioritize user privacy and safety in their AI models. As more users gain access to Voice Mode, it will be interesting to see how this new feature enhances the overall user experience and opens up new possibilities for interacting with AI.