OpenAI has just made a major ChatGPT feature free for everyone amid the ongoing controversy. Users can now utilize the voice input feature using the headphones icon on the ChatGPT mobile app and it will also respond audibly.
The headphones icon is at the bottom right corner of the chat screen and it offers five voice outputs to choose from, namely Juniper, Cove, Breeze, Ember, and Sky. Voice chats are not saved in ChatGPT’s history, but only their transcripts. Voice chats can also be paused in the middle of the recording.
ChatGPT voice input was originally introduced in September with a headline saying “ChatGPT can now see, hear, and speak”, but this was only available to paid users back then. Now the AI company is rolling it out to every single user, paid or otherwise.
The example question shared on X (previously Twitter) with the feature’s announcement also includes a joke about OpenAI’s staff struggle due to the CEO drama that happened over the weekend. The example question says: “It’s been a long night for the team, and we’re hungry. How many 16-inch pizzas should I order for 778 people?.”
This is about the same number of employees OpenAI actually has. Over 700 of these employees had threatened to resign from OpenAI and join Microsoft if the board during that time did not step down and bring back Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. The open letter called the OpenAI board incompetent in leading the company and that the employees refuse to work with such people.
ChatGPT with voice is now available to all free users. Download the app on your phone and tap the headphones icon to start a conversation.
Sound on 🔊 pic.twitter.com/c5sCFDAWU6
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 21, 2023
The news of this update came shortly before OpenAI publicly announced that Sam Altman is officially returning as the company’s CEO, after 5 days of struggle, negotiations, confusion, and controversy. Altman has been reinstated to his previous position alongside a new “initial” board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.
We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo.
We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 22, 2023
Greg Brockman, who was previously removed from his position on the board and resigned soon afterward, has also returned to the company. He recently shared a wholesome selfie with dozens of OpenAI employees in the back and it is captioned “We are so back.” This was retweeted on OpenAI’s official X account.
we are so back pic.twitter.com/YcKwkqdNs5
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 22, 2023