OpenAI’s new Advanced Voice Mode for ChatGPT is changing how users interact with their devices. After testing it for a week, I found it to be a glimpse into a future where AI is functional and personable. The AVM does not make ChatGPT any smarter but makes the interaction feel more human.
The interface feels fresh and exciting, although forming a pseudo-friendship with a machine can be unsettling. I asked ChatGPT to emulate President Obama’s decision to order Taco Bell during my test. “Uhhh, let me be clear – I’d like a Crunchwrap Supreme, maybe a few tacos for good measure,” it replied.
The impression was entertaining and surprisingly accurate, even capturing Obama’s cadence. ChatGPT also provided thoughtful advice on personal matters, such as navigating complex relationships. The chatbot’s voice changed the tone to suit the conversation, making the interaction feel even more natural.
One of the standout features is using AVM to simplify complex subjects. When I asked for a child-friendly explanation of financial terms, ChatGPT used a lemonade stand analogy to make the concepts easy to understand. This adaptability suggests practical applications for teaching and explaining complex subjects.
However, AVM has limitations.
Advancing human-like AI interactions
Unlike Siri or Alexa, it cannot set timers, reminders, browse the web in real-time, check the weather, or interact with other phone APIs.
Google’s competing feature, Gemini Live, offers more voices and up-to-date information but lacks the emotional responsiveness of AVM. Despite some technical glitches, including the occasional grainy voice and cutting out mid-sentence, the experience of interacting with AVM was largely positive. These glitches are understandable for an alpha test and did not significantly detract from the overall experience.
The emergence of AVM raises ethical questions about the nature of human-AI relationships. As technology companies increasingly offer companionship through devices, the line between human and artificial connection blurs. This new form of interaction could significantly affect how we form connections in an increasingly digital world.
While the tech industry races to develop more advanced AI interactions, the goal seems clear: provide highly personalized, integrated assistance that could revolutionize daily life. Imagine asking your TV for specific movie recommendations or your smart home assistant for medical advice and product orders. These ideas, once far-off, now seem closer to reality.
The potential for AI-driven companionship and assistance grows as OpenAI and other tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple push these boundaries. While these advancements are exciting, they also require careful consideration of the ethical and social implications of removing humans from the loop of daily interactions. OpenAI’s AVM is a significant step forward in making AI feel more natural and integrated into our daily lives, but it also opens up a Pandora’s box of potential concerns.
As this technology evolves, balancing innovation with thoughtful regulation and ethical consideration will be crucial.
