OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, has unveiled new technology called Voice Engine that can clone a person’s voice with just 15 seconds of recording. However, due to safety concerns, the company has stated that it will not release this technology publicly at this time. The dangers of misuse, especially during an election year, are a significant factor in this decision.
The company’s Voice Engine technology is currently being previewed with early testers, who have agreed not to impersonate a person without their consent and to disclose that the voices are AI-generated. This approach is similar to how OpenAI handled the release of its video-generator Sora, which was announced but not widely released.
OpenAI has filed a trademark application indicating that they may be looking to get into the speech recognition and digital voice assistant business. This move could potentially position them to compete with existing voice products like Amazon’s Alexa in the future. Despite not releasing the Voice Engine technology to the public, OpenAI is taking steps towards expanding its presence in the AI industry.
The announcement of this new technology comes in the wake of a wave of AI deepfakes tied to elections in Europe and Asia circulating on social media. The misuse of AI-generated voices and images poses serious risks, highlighting the need for caution in developing and releasing such technology. As AI continues to evolve, it is essential to consider its potential impact on society and take measures to ensure it is used ethically and responsibly.
