If you were looking forward to having conversations with OpenAI’s new ChatGPT voice assistants this summer, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. OpenAI has delayed the release of its advanced Voice Mode feature, which was originally scheduled to launch this summer.

Voice Mode Delay

On Tuesday, OpenAI shared that the Voice Mode feature needs additional development time to meet their quality standards. The feature will first be available to a small group of users for feedback, with a broader launch planned for the fall for all paying ChatGPT customers.

Improving the User Experience

OpenAI stated that they are working on enhancing the model’s ability to detect and refuse inappropriate content, improving the user experience, and preparing their infrastructure to handle millions of users while maintaining real-time responses.

Background and Comparisons

Voice features have been part of ChatGPT since 2023, but the new version demonstrated last month showed significant improvements, sounding almost human-like. This drew comparisons to Samantha, the AI voice assistant from the 2013 movie “Her,” played by Scarlett Johansson. Following the presentation, Johansson accused OpenAI of using her voice without permission, leading to further controversy.

Future Rollout Plans

Despite the controversy, OpenAI plans to roll out the new voices to paying users this fall, excluding the Johansson soundalike. Another delayed feature will allow voice assistants to use phone cameras to learn about their surroundings. The company emphasized that exact timelines depend on meeting high safety and reliability standards.

Community Reactions and Concerns

The delay has sparked disappointment and controversy among OpenAI fans. A select group of paid ChatGPT Plus subscribers initially expected to test the Voice Mode assistant in June. OpenAI’s recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter) stated the need for an additional month for further development, with a wider release in the fall.

We’re sharing an update on the advanced Voice Mode we demoed during our Spring Update, which we remain very excited about:

We had planned to start rolling this out in alpha to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in late June, but need one more month to reach our bar to launch.…

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 25, 2024

Some of the reasons for the delay include improving the user experience and preparing the infrastructure for a large user base. However, the company also mentioned enhancing the model’s ability to detect and refuse inappropriate content, which could indicate underlying safety issues.

Comparisons with Rivals

Fans have expressed frustration, with some calling the delay a “rug pull,” feeling misled after paying for a ChatGPT Plus subscription based on promises of an imminent Voice Mode release. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s competitor, Anthropic, has released a significant update to its chatbot, Claude 3.5, putting more pressure on OpenAI.

Scarlett Johansson Controversy

The delay comes after a controversy in which one of the demoed voices resembled Scarlett Johansson‘s portrayal in “Her.” Just before Johansson publicly criticized the company, OpenAI removed the voice. This incident has added to the scrutiny OpenAI faces, especially with the additional delay.

OpenAI’s decision to delay the launch of its Voice Mode has disappointed many fans eagerly awaiting the new feature. The company’s focus on improving safety, user experience, and infrastructure readiness indicates a commitment to delivering a high-quality product, albeit later than expected. As OpenAI navigates these challenges, the AI community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.

The information is taken from Engadget and Yahoo News