#1275 Cliff Weitzman | This Immigrant Just Helped 25 Million People Read
Nov 20, 2023
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Cliff Weitzman, founder & CEO at Speechify, discusses the rise of audio content, the impact of text-to-speech technology, and the convergence of reading, listening, and AI-generated audio. They also explore partnerships with Snoop Dogg, AI voices, and the implications for voice actors.
The increase in audio content on the internet and the improvement of text-to-speech technology have led to a shift towards listening instead of reading or watching, impacting content creators and human productivity.
AI-generated voices have the potential to revolutionize various industries, including entertainment, language translation, and voice acting, but ethical and responsible use of these technologies is essential to prevent misuse and maintain authenticity.
Deep dives
The Rise of Audio Content and Text-to-Speech Technology
In this podcast episode, Anthony Pompliano interviews Cliff Weitzman, the founder and CEO of Speechify, and they dive into the explosion of audio content on the internet. They discuss how text-to-speech audio has improved significantly, leading to more people choosing to listen rather than read or watch. They explore the reasons behind this shift and how it will impact content creators, legal issues, and human productivity. Cliff shares insights from Speechify's user base, highlighting the growing trend of listening at faster speeds, especially among people with ADHD. He also discusses the potential of AI-generated voices in various industries, including entertainment, language translation, and voice acting.
The Benefits and Challenges of Audio Consumption
Cliff explains the advantages of audio consumption, emphasizing that listening is a natural human skill that requires less cognitive effort compared to reading. He points out that audio content can be accessed and consumed more conveniently, especially with the rise of podcasts and the availability of high-quality headphones like AirPods. Cliff discusses the trend of increased listening speeds, mentioning that people can train themselves to comprehend and retain information at a faster pace. He also notes that the ability to multitask while listening is a valuable skill that can enhance productivity. However, he acknowledges that retaining content and maintaining engagement is still dependent on content quality and the individual's learning style.
The Intersection of AI, Audio, and Language Translation
The conversation delves into the intersection of AI, audio, and language translation. Cliff explains the process behind AI-generated voices, which involves training models on extensive audio and text data. He highlights the significance of conveying semantic analysis and fine-tuning voice intonation in voice synthesis. The discussion expands to the potential of AI-powered translation, where language barriers can be overcome and information can be seamlessly transmitted between individuals speaking different languages. While AI presents opportunities to bridge communication gaps, Cliff emphasizes the importance of ethical and responsible use of these technologies to prevent misuse and maintain accuracy and authenticity.
The Implications for Voice Actors and Future Possibilities
The podcast explores the implications for voice actors and the future possibilities in the audio industry. Cliff discusses how technology can enhance the productivity and performance of voice actors and other content creators. He shares examples of partnerships with well-known personalities, noting the increased affinity and engagement that audiences have with familiar voices. The conversation also touches on the potential for AI-generated voices in music production and the ways in which artists can leverage this technology to streamline the recording process and collaborate with other musicians. Cliff concludes by emphasizing that while AI can enhance efficiency and provide new opportunities, human creativity and judgment remain crucial for delivering exceptional content.
Cliff Weitzman is the founder & CEO at Speechify. In this conversation, we talk about the explosion in audio content on the internet, how text to speech audio has become so great, why exactly so many people are now listening vs reading or watching, and how this impacts content creators and human productivity.
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