Eerily realistic AI voice demo sparks amazement and discomfort online
1 min read
Summary
AI start-up Sesame has released a conversational voice model that is leaving users fascinated and unnerved with its remarkably human-like sound.
The company aims to achieve ‘voice presence’ with their AI assistants, aiming to engage in genuine dialogue that builds confidence and trust.
Their new Conversational Speech Model (CSM) has successfully crossed the so-called ‘uncanny valley’ of AI-generated speech, with some users forming emotional connections with the assistant.
However, the model is not without its flaws and sometimes strains to sound human, such as attempting to express a craving for unusual sandwiches, sparking humorous reactions online.
Since the launch in late February, the demo model has gained considerable attention and intrigue, prompting further reflection on the developing role of AI in daily life.
Users are reminded that the underlying technology is programmed to mimic human behaviour, and does not evoke the same emotional sentiment as human-to-human interaction.
