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A text-to-speech platform known as speech Engine, which OpenAI developed, is available to a limited number of users. It can produce a synthetic voice from a 15-second audio clip. Text instructions can be read aloud by the AI-generated voice in many languages or in the same language as the speaker upon command. "Our approach, safety measures, and ideas about how Voice Engine could be used for good across various industries are being informed by these small-scale deployments," OpenAI stated in a blog post.




Some of the companies that have access are: Age of Learning, a visual storytelling platform; Livox, a provider of AI communication apps; Dimagi, a maker of frontline health software; and health system Lifespan.

According to OpenAI, it started working on Voice Engine in late 2022 and has since powered text-to-speech API preset voices as well as ChatGPT's Read Aloud feature. Voice Engine's product team member for OpenAI, Jeff Harris, stated in a TechCrunch interview that the model was trained using "a mix of licensed and publicly available data." Ten developers would be able to use the approach, according to OpenAI, which told the journal.





OpenAI claims that its partners have committed to abiding by its usage regulations, which prohibit using Voice Generation to impersonate individuals or organizations without authorization. In addition, the partners must not develop features that allow individual users to record their own voices, obtain the original speaker's "explicit and informed consent," and notify listeners that the voices are artificial intelligence (AI) creations. In order to track its source and keep an eye on how the audio is being used, OpenAI also watermarked the audio snippets.


In order to reduce the risks associated with tools such as these, OpenAI proposed a number of measures, such as the elimination of voice-based authentication for bank account access, the creation of policies to safeguard the use of human voices in AI, increased awareness of AI deepfakes, and the establishment of tracking systems for AI content.





OpenAI's Breakthrough in Voice Cloning with Just a 15-Second Sample




The concept of a "AI PC" has been promoted by Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm, AMD, and Intel for several months now as we approach additional AI-powered capabilities in Windows. While we're still waiting on Microsoft to reveal the specifics of its ambitious plans for artificial intelligence in Windows, Intel has begun disclosing Microsoft's criteria to OEMs looking to develop AI PCs. One of the most important requirements is that the AI PC must have Microsoft's Copilot key.

For its vision of an AI PC, Microsoft wants its OEM partners to supply both hardware and software. This includes access to Copilot, the newest CPUs and GPUs, and a system equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Additionally, it must have the updated Copilot key that Microsoft revealed earlier in the year.




Because of this requirement, certain laptops—such as Asus' recently released ROG Zephyrus—have already been supplied with Intel's new Core Ultra CPUs and, according to Microsoft's stringent regulations, aren't actually AI PCs because they need a Copilot key. However, Intel still considers them to be AI PCs. What OEMs will receive in exchange for following Microsoft's own definition of an AI PC is still unknown, though. When I contacted Microsoft to inquire about its needs, they said they were not yet talking about their intentions for AI PCs. Microsoft did add the AI PC branding to its most recent Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 business devices earlier this month, however it's unclear if laptop stickers or extra marketing funds for OEMs would be included.




In addition to the AI PC specifications, Intel is growing the AI PC acceleration initiative it introduced in October. Its goal is to pique the interest of software developers in AI-powered features for their applications. Now, with the help of an AI PC developer program, it is reaching smaller developers as well. With an emphasis on developers, perhaps a lot more apps will make use of this new NPU hardware. There aren't many apps that do this right now; Microsoft's Windows Studio Effects is the major application that uses the NPU in Windows to blur backdrops during video conversations while maintaining eye contact.




This week, Google made a huge U-turn and released an improved version of Chrome for Windows on Arm, which will significantly enhance the experience for Chrome users on Windows laptops with Qualcomm processors. Additionally, there are rumors that Microsoft will only use Arm for the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 consumer models. On May 20, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will present the company's strategy for AI hardware and software at an event titled "AI and Surface."

The role of the Copilot Key in Microsoft's AI Powered Future




Microsoft is adding spell checking functionality to Windows 11's Notepad application. Testers now have access to Notepad's enhanced spell check functionality, which will be made universally available to Windows 11 users later this year.


Notepad's spell check functions similarly to those of Microsoft Word and the Microsoft Edge web browser. Spelling errors are automatically highlighted in red, and you can correct errors by right-clicking to see suggested corrections. Even autocorrect has been included by Microsoft, so errors are corrected as you type. Not only does Spellcheck in Notepad support different languages, but it also allows you to add terms to a dictionary and omit words found in documents.





According to Dave Grochocki, principal product manager lead for Windows Inbox Apps, "this feature is enabled by default for some file types but is off by default in log files and other file types typically associated with coding." Grochocki made this statement in a blog post. "In the Notepad app settings, you can toggle this setting on or off globally, for specific file types, or temporarily for the current file in the context menu."





Spellcheck in Notepad is the most recent functionality to be added to this integrated Windows 11 software. Microsoft said in December that it would be bringing a character count to Notepad soon. This announcement came just after the software manufacturer introduced a new autosave feature that allows you to exit the program without always seeing a save prompt.


In addition, Microsoft has integrated Copilot AI, added a dark mode to Notepad, added tabs, and even included a virtual fidget spinner.




Enhanced Efficiency: Windows 11 Notepad Introduces Spellcheck Functionality




You should consider switching from your Oculus to a Meta account as soon as possible if you haven't already. According to an email issued to users, the firm will deactivate Oculus accounts on March 29th, 2024. This will make it impossible for you to get your store credits, apps, in-app purchases, and more back. If you don't switch to a Meta account before then, you'll lose your accomplishments, friends list, and any material made using your Oculus experience.





Since 2020, when the business formerly known as Facebook began mandating new users to join up with Facebook accounts instead, Oculus accounts have been discontinued. In 2022, it did, however, allow customers to create a Meta account as an alternative if they chose not to connect their Quest headset to their Facebook account. In January 2023, Meta ceased allowing users to access their Oculus accounts. It's your final chance to switch from an Oculus to a Meta account if you have a Quest collecting dust in a drawer.





Using the same email address you used to register for Oculus, visit their website to create a Meta account and migrate your account. You can then access all of the games, information, and other purchases that have been stored to your Oculus account from that point on.

Most people who had already switched from Oculus to Meta accounts, received the email. It's unclear if Meta accidentally sent these emails or if Meta account holders need to take any further action. After contacting Meta for further details, The Verge did not receive a response right away.


Meta Announces Deletion of All Oculus Accounts by Month's End

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