Technology isn’t advancing in a straight line but in seismic waves. The iPhone, ChatGPT, and, more recently, OpenAI’s advanced voice mode are some of the “tsunamis” redefining the digital landscape.
To access the advanced voice mode, you only need a paid subscription to ChatGPT (and a VPN installed on your device if you live outside the U.S.) During my test, I chose the voice of Juniper, a nod to that terrific Black Mirror episode, although the experience turned out to be closer to Her but without the disturbing subtext.
The mode’s fluidity is astounding. This is another level, especially compared to Siri and Alexa. The cadence and intonation are so natural that, at times, you forget you’re talking to a machine. There are still minor stumbles–a slight delay and misunderstandings here and there. However, this is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. My tip: Avoid being quiet while you think and hesitate out loud so the AI understands that you’re not done yet.
I tested my new digital companion on various topics:
- Local history: I asked about a tower in my hometown, pretending I didn’t know anything about it. ChatGPT’s new mode provided facts and contextualized the information, serving as a pocket tour guide. I plan to use this when I travel alone for work and want to explore cities.
- Philosophy: We discussed Nietzsche, and it felt like having a private tutor who patiently and clearly explained complex concepts like the eternal return.
- Language practice: We switched to a different language to talk about augmented reality, blockchain, and the future of wearable technology. The chatbot even corrected my grammatical and pronunciation errors.
- Kitchen assistant: While cooking pasta carbonara, a recipe I struggle with, I kept asking the companion for directions at each step. It was a success!
The current limitation is the lack of predefined projects and context files. You can only use the standard ChatGPT, but it’s a matter of time before it’s implemented. I wouldn’t be surprised to see OpenAI smart headsets soon and even multimodal glasses that integrate this AI technology by adding vision. The new advanced voice mode will certainly go well with that.
The risks are still present. Inaccuracies, hallucinations, and over-reliance on potentially incorrect answers can be risky. Additionally, there’s the danger of the so-called “Joaquin Phoenix syndrome,” which refers to developing an emotional attachment to an artificial entity, such as the actor’s character in Her. However, to be honest, this says more about the user than the AI itself.
ChatGPT’s advanced voice mode reminds me of my early experiences with the Internet and autonomous cabs. It’s the dawn of something momentous. It’s a moment that will remain etched in my memory, not only as a technological milestone but also as a turning point in the way we interact with artificial intelligence.
The revolution will not be televised, as Gil Scott Heron famously said, but it’ll definitely be verbalized.
Image | Utsman Media
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