SAN FRANCISCO — OpenAI has taken a significant step in enhancing user interaction with ChatGPT by introducing a set of carefully curated voices, each selected through a meticulous process involving top industry professionals. These voices—Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, and Sky—were chosen to provide users with a more engaging and personalized experience, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to innovation and creativity.

The journey began in early 2023, as OpenAI collaborated with award-winning casting directors and producers to define the criteria for the voices. These criteria emphasized diversity, trustworthiness, and timeless appeal, ensuring that each voice could resonate with a global audience. Following a rigorous selection process that included over 400 auditions from voice and screen actors, five voices were chosen to represent the personality and vision of ChatGPT.

These voices are not merely a product of technology but are backed by real human talents who were flown to San Francisco for recording sessions, where they engaged closely with OpenAI’s product and research teams. The voices were launched in September 2023, bringing a new dimension to human-AI interaction.

While the voice of Sky has been paused due to concerns raised by Scarlett Johansson, OpenAI emphasizes that Sky’s voice is an original creation and not an imitation. The company remains committed to respecting the creative community and maintaining transparency in its collaborations.

Looking forward, OpenAI is set to introduce a new Voice Mode in GPT-4o, offering even more natural and dynamic interactions. The company also plans to add more voices to match the diverse preferences of its users.