OpenAI announced a series of new features for ChatGPT during its spring update event, with the most notable being the advanced voice mode and desktop application. However, the rollout of these features has not gone smoothly.
The advanced voice mode has sparked controversy due to its resemblance to the virtual character played by Scarlett Johansson in the movie "Her." OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described it as having "human-level response time and expressiveness." Powered by GPT-4, the feature can observe and respond to the user's surroundings in real-time, facilitating more natural conversations.
Originally planned to be released to all ChatGPT Plus users within "a few weeks," the voice mode has now been postponed. OpenAI stated that it would take another month to meet their standards, and currently, only a small portion of Plus users have access to the alpha version. The company is focusing on improving the ability to "detect and reject certain content" and plans to open it to all Plus users in the fall.
Image Source: The image was generated by AI, provided by the image licensing service Midjourney
Similarly, the new video and screen-sharing features have also been delayed. OpenAI said the specific release schedule would depend on whether they meet their high standards for security and reliability.
In contrast, the ChatGPT desktop application has been released as scheduled for macOS users. Users can quickly access ChatGPT from anywhere by pressing the Option and Space keys simultaneously. The Windows version is expected to be released later this year.
Previously, the application was only available to paid subscribers of ChatGPT Plus. Now, all Mac users can download and experience the application for free, regardless of whether they are paid members of ChatGPT.
These delays and controversies highlight the challenges faced by the rapid development of AI technology, as OpenAI needs to balance innovation with safety and ethical issues.
Official Website: https://openai.com/chatgpt/mac/
