Daily Archives: March 31, 2024

OpenAI unveils voice-cloning tool | National | caledonianrecord.com – The Caledonian-Record

Posted: March 31, 2024 at 5:50 am

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OpenAI unveils voice-cloning tool | National | caledonianrecord.com - The Caledonian-Record

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OpenAI unveils voice-cloning tool | National | elkharttruth.com – The Elkhart Truth

Posted: at 5:50 am

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Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of 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OpenAI unveils voice-cloning tool | National | elkharttruth.com - The Elkhart Truth

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OpenAI reveals impressive voice cloning model, and it’s scary good – XDA Developers

Posted: at 5:50 am

Key Takeaways

Microsoft-backed OpenAI is perhaps best known for ChatGPT, its conversational AI model that made waves back when it launched publicly in 2022, and is still highly impressive to this day. Since then, the firm has also unveiled Sora, an AI model that can generate video clips using just textual input. While Sora is yet to become available publicly, OpenAI has now announced yet another AI model, and this time, it's capable of generating synthetic audio.

The highlight of OpenAI's latest invention is that it can generate realistic synthetic audio using just 15 seconds of sample audio input. It can even generate audio in other languages by mimicking the sound patterns of the original sample. Dubbed Voice Engine, this model is quite small, which makes its audio cloning capabilities all the more impressive.

OpenAI has been working on this project since at least 2022, and it's the technology that powers its text-to-speech API and ChatGPT Voice and Read Aloud. Over on its website, the company has impressive examples where the model has generated extremely realistic audio pieces on various topics by leveraging 15 seconds of sample data on an unrelated topic. You can check those out here.

OpenAI has shared several potential applications of Voice Engine. It can be used to provide reading assistance to non-readers, translate content to reach global audiences, and offer therapeutic services for people who are non-verbal. All the aforementioned scenarios have already been trialed by OpenAI in a private preview conducted with select partners on a small scale.

But perhaps the most interesting part of OpenAI's latest announcement is that the firm isn't ready to release Voice Engine to the public just yet. The reason behind this is potential safety concerns where someone's voice can be cloned without their consent, which is extremely problematic, especially in the U.S. where 2024 is election year. During its private preview with partners, OpenAI ensured that its partners agreed to its usage policies, which included using someone's audio only after the individual's explicit consent, clearly disclose when synthetic audio is being used, and digitally watermarking content generated by the model.

OpenAI will only release Voice Engine once (or if) it reaches an agreement regarding safeguards for the model. Until then, the company has emphasized that the world needs to understand where the technology is headed. For now, it has encouraged banking systems to phase out support for voice detection as a security measure, and requested the community at large to educate itself regarding deceptive AI content, explore policies to safeguard the use of an individual's voice, and implement mechanisms that enable anyone to identify whether a voice is human- or AI-generated.

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OpenAI reveals impressive voice cloning model, and it's scary good - XDA Developers

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OpenAI’s voice-cloning tool is impressive but full of safety concerns – NewsBytes

Posted: at 5:49 am

Next Article

What's the story

OpenAI, the world's leading artificial intelligence start-up, has unveiled its digital voice generator, called Voice Engine. This cutting-edge technology can generate realistic speech using just a 15-second audio sample. The San Francisco-based company, known for its chatbot ChatGPT and image generator DALL-E, is exploring various applications for Voice Engine such as aiding children with reading, translating languages, and assisting cancer patients in regaining their voices.

Despite the potential benefits of Voice Engine, OpenAI has decided to delay its broader release due to concerns about misuse. Fears of unauthorized voice imitation or deepfakes have been expressed by social media users. This decision is especially significant during an election year when the risk of misuse is heightened. As stated in a company blog post, "We are taking a cautious and informed approach to a broader release due to the potential for synthetic voice misuse."

OpenAI has expressed its intention to initiate discussions about the responsible use of synthetic voices and societal adaptation to these new capabilities. The company's future deployment of this technology will be guided by these conversations and findings from preliminary tests. As stated by the company, "We hope to start a dialogue on the responsible deployment of synthetic voices, and how society can adapt to these new capabilities."

The 2024 election has already seen its first fake voice incident in New Hampshire involving a robocall imitating President Joe Biden. The event led the Federal Communications Commission to unanimously ban unsolicited AI robocalls. OpenAI acknowledged these political risks in its blog post, stating, "We recognize that generating speech that resembles people's voices has serious risks, which are especially top of mind in an election year."

OpenAI is actively seeking feedback from US and international partners across diverse sectors such as government, media, entertainment, education, and civil society. The company's guidelines strictly prohibit impersonation without consent or legal right. They also support voice authentication experiences and a "no-go voice list" to prevent creating voices too similar to well-known figures.

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OpenAI's voice-cloning tool is impressive but full of safety concerns - NewsBytes

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OpenAI Unveils Groundbreaking Voice Cloning Technology, Prioritizes Safety Concerns – elblog.pl

Posted: at 5:49 am

OpenAI, renowned for its creation of the popular chatbot ChatGPT, has made a significant foray into the voice assistant industry. The company recently showcased its innovative Voice Engine technology, allowing the cloning of a persons voice. Despite this breakthrough, OpenAI has decided against publicly releasing the technology at present due to concerns about potential misuse.

By drawing on a mere 15-second audio recording of an individual speaking, OpenAIs Voice Engine can accurately replicate their voice. While the company plans to provide a preview to select early testers, it remains cautious about the technologys wider release, acknowledging the inherent risks involved. OpenAI is particularly mindful of the dangers of generating speech that closely resembles individuals voices, especially during an election year, when it could be exploited for harmful purposes.

The Oakland-based company, in a recent statement, emphasized that it recognizes the serious risks associated with voice cloning technology. The unfortunate incident during the New Hampshire presidential primary, where voters received robocalls featuring an AI-generated voice imitating President Joe Biden, highlights the potential misuse of such advancements. While multiple start-ups already offer voice-cloning technology accessible to the public or specific business enterprises like entertainment studios, OpenAI is prioritizing safety and responsible use.

To ensure ethical use, OpenAI has taken measures to safeguard the technology. Early Voice Engine testers have committed to refraining from impersonating individuals without their consent and are obligated to disclose the AI-generated nature of the voices. This responsible approach aims to mitigate potential harms associated with identity fraud or other ill-intentioned actions.

OpenAIs trajectory aligns with its previous strategic approach. The company previously announced, without extensive release, its video-generator Sora. However, a trademark application filed in March indicates that OpenAI likely intends to delve further into speech recognition and digital voice assistant technologies. By continuing to improve such innovations, OpenAI is positioning itself to compete with existing voice products like Amazons Alexa.

FAQ: Q: What is Voice Engine technology? A: OpenAIs Voice Engine technology allows the cloning of a persons voice using just a 15-second audio recording of them speaking.

Q: Why isnt OpenAI releasing the technology to the public? A: OpenAI has concerns about the potential misuse and risks associated with generating speech that resembles peoples voices, particularly during an election year.

Q: How does OpenAI ensure responsible use of the technology? A: Early Voice Engine testers have agreed not to impersonate someone without their consent and are obligated to disclose that the voices are AI-generated.

Q: What other technologies has OpenAI previously announced? A: OpenAI has previously introduced the video-generator Sora without a wide release.

Sources: [OpenAIs Voice Engine Technology](https://openai.com/voice-engine/) [Trademark Application](https://trademarks.justia.com/901/34/openai-90134377.html)

OpenAIs venture into the voice assistant industry with its Voice Engine technology is a significant development in the field. The companys innovative technology has the ability to clone a persons voice using a short 15-second audio recording. While OpenAI does plan to provide a preview of the technology to select early testers, there are concerns about the potential misuse and risks associated with its wider release.

One particular issue that OpenAI is mindful of is generating speech that closely resembles individuals voices during an election year. The company understands the harm that could come from exploiting this technology for malicious purposes. The incident during the New Hampshire presidential primary, where voters received robocalls featuring an AI-generated voice imitating President Joe Biden, highlights the need for responsible use and safeguards in place to prevent identity fraud and other ill-intentioned actions.

OpenAIs responsible approach aims to mitigate these potential harms. Early Voice Engine testers are committed to refraining from impersonating individuals without their consent and are obligated to disclose that the voices are AI-generated. This ethical use policy helps safeguard against misuse and misuse of the cloned voices.

While OpenAI has decided against publicly releasing the technology at present, it likely has future plans to further explore speech recognition and digital voice assistant technologies. A trademark application filed by the company indicates its ongoing interest in this area. By developing and improving these innovations, OpenAI is positioning itself to compete with existing voice products such as Amazons Alexa.

For additional information, you can visit OpenAIs website to learn more about their Voice Engine technology here. You can also refer to a trademark application filed by OpenAI for further insights here.

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OpenAI Unveils Groundbreaking Voice Cloning Technology, Prioritizes Safety Concerns - elblog.pl

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Posted: at 5:49 am

A hit new Japanese TV program challenges the zeitgeist with humor and generational time travel

A time-travelling TV comedy with a bawdy middle-aged hero has become a big hit in Japan, juxtaposing the countrys brash 1980s boom years with its more politically correct present day.

In the series, titled Extremely Inappropriate, the past isnt rose-tinted: theres smoking on the bus, boobs on television and corporal punishment galore.

But modern Japan doesnt get a free pass either.

When schoolteacher and father Ichiro Ogawa is catapulted from 1986 to this year, he scandalizes millennials and Gen Z-ers with his disregard for their views on gender, family and labor rights.

Implicit in his candid words is a question: is society today, with its good intentions around issues like diversity and work-life balance, really all its cracked up to be?

The shows satire of how Japan has changed over the decades has struck a chord with viewers young and old.

Last month, it became the first program made by major broadcaster TBS to top Netflixs most-watched list in Japan for three weeks running.

Producer Aki Isoyama, who is 56, initially thought it would be very challenging to poke fun at todays progressive values without triggering a backlash from the public.

The show isnt meant as a verdict on the superiority of one era over the other, she said.

But one inspiration for her and screenwriter Kankuro Kudo, 53, was the idea that life has become more difficult in some aspects today.

Our society has certainly gotten better, but in a way more restrictive, too, with everything dictated by compliance and protocols, Isoyama said.

Today, when something is pronounced unacceptable, we often unquestioningly accept that explanation and refrain from saying or doing it, she added.

The show will hopefully make viewers stop and ask themselves: Why was it banned in the first place?

HARASSMENT AND SEXISM

One 25-year-old fan, Mao Yamada, said the show is a reminder that our society has become more accepting of diversity, including LGBTQ rights.

Its good were now more mindful of things like sexual harassment, she said, adding that she understands why some might feel too many things are perhaps restricted and kept unsaid.

Workplace pep talks to Gen-Z hires are denounced as harassment in Extremely Inappropriate, and an exasperated TV producer tries to censor everything said on air.

Meanwhile, freewheeling Ogawa who in his own bygone world yells grow a pair! at male students and teases women about menopause is lambasted by todays generation, including a feminist sociologist.

He is enlightened on the concepts of gender neutrality and sexual consent. Marriage, he learns, is no longer the definition of happiness.

Viewer Kyo Maeda, 68, called the shows 1980s scenes an accurate portrayal of what our everyday life used to be like.

Our life was full of what could easily be seen as harassment and sexism by todays morals, he said.

In 1986, Japan was basking in the glow of its post-war evolution into an economic superpower, with many workers fixated on success, no matter the hours required.

On Extremely Inappropriate young recruits a generation shaped by Japans lost decades of stagnation from the early 1990s matter-of-factly clock off on time.

In the 80s, I loved going to work, you know, Maeda reminisced, chuckling. The economy was still picking up and we were all-out at work.

I feel like there was more hope and excitement about the future in the 80s than there is now, he said.

BOLDER THEMES

Extremely Inappropriate, whose final episode aired yesterday, has received its share of criticism in the real world.

Some say concepts like feminism or discrimination based on appearance are oversimplified, and that political correctness is treated as little more than a shackle on free speech.

Interspersed throughout the show are musical performances and jokey disclaimers excusing Ogawas gaffes and insults.

But beneath the levity is a serious message, said Takahiko Kageyama, a media studies professor at Doshisha Womens College of Liberal Arts.

The creators obviously wanted us to reflect on the status quo of our society, he said.

But if this intent had come off too straightforward or preachy, it wouldve just fallen flat.

The shows themes are bold given the sensitive landscape of Japans entertainment industry today, he said.

Boy-band empire Johnnys and Associates faced an existential crisis last year over a sexual abuse scandal involving its late founder.

Allegations of workplace bullying have also disgraced the prestigious theatre troupe Takarazuka Revue.

Producer Isoyama said that making the show in parallel with these events had sometimes felt uncanny.

With Johnnys and Takarazuka, it was like facts far stranger than fiction were unfolding around us, she said.

But this made us feel that the timing of the release would be fitting, considering how the industry is changing, the way it should.

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