OpenAI is retiring ChatGPT’s beloved “Standard” voice on September 9th, replacing it with the previously limited “Advanced” voice, now called “ChatGPT Voice.” This decision has sparked considerable backlash from users who preferred the original voice’s warmth and natural tone. The “Standard” voice, introduced in 2023, operated on a straightforward process: transcribing speech, generating a response, and reading it back using a neutral synthetic voice.
The new “Advanced” voice aims for a more human-like and faster response. However, many users find it falls short, describing it as robotic, detached, and rushed. Several forums and Reddit posts express disappointment, highlighting the loss of the “Standard” voice’s comforting and thoughtful cadence. Users lament the lack of emotional connection and the feeling that the AI is trying to end the interaction quickly.
Furthermore, the “Advanced” voice’s real-time processing significantly alters how information is conveyed. Unlike the “Standard” voice, which reads the AI’s written response verbatim, the “Advanced” voice paraphrases and sometimes omits details, leading to a disconnect between the written response and the spoken output. This change, while technically impressive, frustrates users who valued the direct and detailed responses of the previous system.
This situation reflects a broader pattern in the tech world: significant changes, even those intended as improvements, often meet with user resistance. While some appreciate the “Advanced” voice’s realism and speed, many are clinging to the familiar comfort of the “Standard” voice. Given OpenAI’s past response to similar user outcry – the return of GPT-4 after the introduction of GPT-5 – the possibility of the “Standard” voice’s comeback remains open, especially considering OpenAI’s promise of continued improvements to the “Advanced” voice.
