OpenAI pauses release of AI voice assistant to fix security issues

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OpenAI announced that the launch of its new voice assistant with artificial intelligence (AI) because more time was needed for security testing.

The maker of ChatGPT demonstrated its “enhanced voice mode” technology in a demo last month, which was incredibly human in its emotional responses and worked almost in real time.

OpenAI said it would introduce the voice technology to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in late June, but said on X on Tuesday that “it would take another month before we reached our launch threshold.”

“We are improving the model’s ability to detect and reject certain content. We are also working to improve the user experience and prepare our infrastructure to scale to millions of users while maintaining real-time responses,” the company said.

OpenAI said the enhanced voice mode may not be introduced until fall, and that the exact timeline depends on whether its “high security and reliability standards” are met.

“ChatGPT’s advanced voice mode can understand and respond to emotions and nonverbal cues, bringing us closer to natural, real-time conversations with AI,” the company added.

“Our mission is to bring these new experiences to you in a thoughtful way.”

OpenAI was also sued by actress Scarlett Johansson for allegedly copying her voice for one of its AI characters.

One of the “personas,” named Sky, resembles the voice of an AI assistant that Johansson played in the movie “Her.”

Sam Altman, CEO and co-founder of OpenAI, has denied the allegations.