OpenAI delays launch of voice assistant to address safety issues

The delay represents a possible setback for OpenAI as it works to stay ahead of an increasingly crowded field of AI rivals. — AP

OpenAI is delaying the release of a much-anticipated voice assistant feature for ChatGPT in order to ensure it can safely and effectively process requests from millions of users.

The artificial intelligence startup unveiled the voice option at a product launch event in May for GPT-4o, an updated version of its GPT-4 model that is better at handling text, audio and images in real time. In a statement, OpenAI said it had originally intended to roll out the voice feature to a small group of paid ChatGPT Plus subscribers in late June, but decided it needs another month to "reach our bar to launch.”