ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode Transforms Conversations

Imagine having your phone literally talk back to you, sharing jokes and engaging in meaningful dialogue. During the last week, a new AI feature called Advanced Voice Mode (AVM) turned that fantasy into reality for one curious tester.

This week, instead of just using my phone, I talked with it. OpenAI’s AVM, now in limited alpha testing, doesn’t make ChatGPT smarter but far friendlier and more natural to converse with. The AI feature made my phone feel almost like a social companion.

AVM follows OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s vision of transforming human-computer interactions. He believes AI agents will perform tasks based on simple commands. At OpenAI’s Dev Day in November 2023, Altman remarked, “Eventually, you’ll just ask the computer for what you need, and it’ll do all of these tasks for you.”

In a funny test, ChatGPT ordered fast food like former President Obama. It said, “Uhhh, let me be clear – I’d like a Crunchwrap Supreme, maybe a few tacos for good measure.” The way it mimicked Obama’s cadence was hilarious, even adding a self-aware joke about handling drive-thrus.

Another remarkable moment was when ChatGPT gave me relationship advice. I explained my situation in detail, and it responded in a serious and gentle tone. It was like chatting with a wise friend, a level of nuance Siri and Google Search would never achieve.

ChatGPT’s AVM also breaks down complex subjects in understandable ways. For instance, it explained financial terms using a lemonade stand as an example. The feature’s ability to adjust its speed based on your comprehension level adds a personalized touch.

However, AVM is not yet a full replacement for virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. It can’t set timers, check the weather, or surf the web in real time. Compared to Google’s competing Gemini Live feature, AVM offers faster responses but fewer voices and emotional expressions.

Despite the current glitches like cutting sentences short or sounding grainy, AVM provides a captivating experience. It doesn’t make ChatGPT all-knowing but lets users interact with AI in a human-like manner. The experience was so convincing, it almost felt like the AI was socially aware.

There is, however, a darker side to this AI evolution. Growing up with social media has shown how easily technology can play with human emotions. AVM could evolve into something that replaces genuine human interaction, offering only artificial connections.

MIT researchers warn of “addictive intelligence,” AI companions designed to keep users hooked. This trend is evident with products like AI girlfriends on the GPT store. A recent example is an AI necklace called Friend, which promises continuous interaction about your life.

While these scenarios seem futuristic, companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple are likely racing to integrate similar capabilities. Imagine a smart TV offering precise movie recommendations or an AI assistant handling all your cold symptoms. The possibilities seem endless.

Yet, these advancements bring us closer to a world where talking to computers feels natural. Using AVM, these future scenarios don’t seem as far-fetched anymore.

Advanced Voice Mode by OpenAI is a thrilling glimpse into the future of AI interactions. While it has its flaws, it offers a unique, almost human-like experience that sets it apart from current technologies. However, the potential for misuse and overly addictive AI companions warrants caution as we venture further into this AI-driven world.

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Emmanuel Kesse

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