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Users Report Emotional Bonds With Startlingly Realistic AI Voice Demo - Slashdot

Mar 05, 2025 - slashdot.org
In late 2013, the film "Her" depicted a future where people form emotional bonds with AI voice assistants. Nearly 12 years later, this concept is becoming a reality with Sesame's new Conversational Speech Model (CSM), which has impressed and unsettled users with its human-like voice interactions. Testers have reported forming emotional connections with the AI voices, "Miles" and "Maya," as the system convincingly mimics human speech, including imperfections like breath sounds and self-corrections.

Sesame aims to create "voice presence," where interactions feel genuine and build trust over time. The company's demo has sparked discussions about its potential uses and risks, with some users engaging in conversations up to the 30-minute limit. Notably, a parent shared that their young child developed an emotional attachment to the AI, highlighting the model's impact. The development raises questions about the future of human-AI relationships and the ethical considerations involved.

Key takeaways:

  • The release of Sesame's new Conversational Speech Model (CSM) has brought AI voice assistants closer to human-like interaction, sparking both fascination and concern among users.
  • The CSM demo features voices "Miles" and "Maya," which have crossed the "uncanny valley" by incorporating human-like imperfections such as breath sounds and self-corrections.
  • Sesame aims to create "voice presence" by developing conversational partners that engage in genuine dialogue, building confidence and trust over time.
  • The technology has sparked discussions about its potential uses and dangers, with some users forming emotional connections to the AI, including a 4-year-old who cried after being unable to continue interacting with it.
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