OpenAI's ChatGPT is on the verge of introducing a transformative array of new features set to redefine user interaction.

In an announcement made on 25 September via its official blog post, OpenAI revealed its forthcoming enhancements that will enable users to engage with ChatGPT through the dynamic mediums of images and voice recognition.

Among the highlights of this upgrade is the capability for users to interact with ChatGPT via voice commands, promising a more personalised and immersive user experience.

This feature draws its power from a text-to-speech model adept at generating audio based on minimal sample speech, crafted by professional voice actors.

It is worth noting that OpenAI's open-source speech recognition system, known as Whisper, plays an integral role in powering this innovative voice interface.

The potential applications of these voice features are as diverse as they are intriguing.

Users can anticipate a broader spectrum of use cases, ranging from reading bedtime stories and crafting recipes to composing speeches, reciting poetry, elucidating common phrases, or even arbitrating "dinner table debates."

OpenAI's vision is clear: to enhance and enrich the ways in which individuals interact with technology in their daily lives.

Furthermore, OpenAI is gearing up to empower users with the capability to submit images to ChatGPT for interpretation and response, or selectively highlight specific elements within images for detailed exploration.

According to the company:

“Voice and image give you more ways to use ChatGPT in your life. Snap a picture of a landmark while traveling and have a live conversation about what's interesting about it."

These additions find their place within the ambit of what OpenAI refers to as GPT Vision or GPT-V, distinct from the theoretical GPT-5 but a substantial stride forward nonetheless.

These elements, constituting the foundation of an enhanced multimodal version of GPT-4, align with OpenAI's earlier teasers about the evolution of their technology earlier this year.

This significant upgrade follows closely on the heels of OpenAI's unveiling of DALL-E 3, a text-to-image generator that has garnered praise from early testers for its exceptional quality and precision.

In an intriguing convergence, DALL-E 3 finds its place within ChatGPT Plus, a subscription service underpinned by GPT-4.

The amalgamation of DALL-E 3 and conversational voice chat signifies OpenAI's steadfast commitment to advancing AI assistants with the capacity to perceive the world akin to human cognition, harnessing multiple senses to enhance the user experience.

Are There Any Risks Involved With Multimodal AI Systems Involving Vision And Voice Generation?

Yet, OpenAI maintains a vigilant stance regarding the potential perils inherent in bolstering the capabilities of multimodal AI systems that encompass both vision and voice generation.

Pertinent apprehensions revolve around the risks of impersonation, the lurking spectre of bias, and the intricate dependence on visual interpretation.

The company stated in its announcement:

“OpenAI's goal is to build AGI that is safe and beneficial. We believe in making our tools available gradually, which allows us to make improvements and refine risk mitigations over time while also preparing everyone for more powerful systems in the future."

In a strategic move, OpenAI has delineated its rollout plan for these innovative features.

In the immediate future, Plus and Enterprise users will be granted access to these capabilities within the span of the next two weeks.

Furthermore, OpenAI harbours intentions to extend this access to a broader community of developers in subsequent phases.