ChatGPT’s advanced voice feature now available

OpenAI has launched the Advanced Voice Mode (AVM) for all paying users of ChatGPT. The feature is initially accessible to Plus and Teams subscribers, and will be available to Enterprise and Edu users starting next week.

The latest version of the advanced voice feature comes with several design and functionality upgrades to deliver a more natural conversational experience. Notably, five new voices—Arbor, Maple, Sol, Spruce, and Vale—have been added, bringing the total number of voice options to nine. However, there is a notable absence in this update: the Sky voice, which was introduced earlier this year, is no longer available. This change was due to legal action taken by Scarlett Johansson, who claimed that the voice bore a striking resemblance to her character from the movie “Her.” While OpenAI maintained that the similarity was unintentional, they have since removed Sky from the platform.

Another missing feature in this version is the video and screen-sharing capabilities, which were introduced in the spring. These features allowed the GPT-4 model to process both visual and audio information simultaneously. OpenAI has not yet provided a timeline for when these features will be reinstated. However, the voice mode has been improved with better accent recognition and smoother, faster interactions.

Due to European Union regulations, the advanced voice feature is not available in certain regions such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and others. To use this lifelike voice feature, users must subscribe to the Plus, Teams, or Enterprise plans, with the most affordable option being the Plus plan, priced at $20 per month.