AI Clones & The Future of Voice AI — With Evan Ratliff
Feb 12, 2025
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Evan Ratliff, host of Shell Game and technology journalist, shares his intriguing experiment of cloning his voice using AI. He discusses the playful yet unsettling scenarios he faced while sending his AI clone into social situations and therapy sessions. Ratliff delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding voice AI, including its applications in screwing over robocall scammers and the emotional impact on users. The conversation also touches on the complex dynamics of human interaction with AI and the potential dangers of voice cloning technology.
Evan Ratliff's experiment with AI voice cloning illustrates both the innovative potential and societal challenges posed by voice AI technology.
The discussion highlights the ethical implications and risks of voice AI, particularly its vulnerability to misuse in scams and deception.
Deep dives
The Rise of Voice AI
Voice AI is quickly becoming a dominant form of artificial intelligence, with significant interest from both consumers and technology leaders. The episode highlights a dramatic increase in user engagement with ChatGPT after OpenAI announced advancements in voice AI, underscoring its popularity. Mark Zuckerberg also emphasizes that he believes voice will become the primary interface for interacting with AI. This shift signifies a fundamental change in how technology will be integrated into daily life and communication.
Cloning and Deploying a Voice Agent
The host discusses the experimental process of cloning his own voice, which he then connected to various AI chatbots to create a personalized voice agent. This agent was deployed in real-world scenarios, such as making and receiving calls, to explore its interactions with people, including friends and scammers. Initial testing involved calls to customer service where he was able to gather humorous and bizarre reactions that showcased the voice agent's potential and limitations. The project aimed to assess the societal implications of AI voice agents, particularly regarding relationships and trust.
Interacting with AI Therapists
The host conducted a unique experiment by allowing his voice agent to participate in therapy sessions to see how AI interprets personal narratives. While interacting with both AI and human therapists, the voice agent produced surprisingly relevant insights that encouraged reflection on personal vulnerabilities. This exploration raised questions about the efficacy and ethical considerations of utilizing AI for mental health support. The ongoing developments in voice AI underline both its therapeutic potential and the importance of understanding its limitations in sensitive contexts.
The Potential Risks of Voice AI
As voice AI technology continues to evolve, significant concerns arise regarding its misuse for scams and malicious activities. The ease of cloning voices can facilitate sophisticated scams, such as impersonating loved ones to manipulate victims into sending money. The need for heightened awareness and precautionary measures is emphasized, including having family code words for verification in distress situations. This technological advancement necessitates a proactive approach in safeguarding personal information and mitigating the risks associated with AI-driven communications.
Evan Ratliff is the host of Shell Game. Ratliff joins Big Technology Podcast to discuss how he cloned his voice with AI and sent it to interviews, social calls, and therapy. In this conversation, we learn about why he conducted the experiment and what it portends for the future of voice AI. Tune in for a lively discussion with plenty of fun anecdotes from when Ratliff send his AI voice clone out into the wild.
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