D-ID’s new web application gives OpenAI’s ChatGPT a face and voice

by James · March 7, 2023

Image sources: D-ID

D-ID, the Israeli startup behind Deep Nostalgia, announced today that it’s launching a beta version of its new web app that lets users talk face-to-face with photorealistic artificial intelligence. The web app called chat.D-ID combines D-ID’s text-to-video streaming technology with OpenAI’s ChatGPT to make conversations with artificial intelligence more accessible.

The startup’s CEO and co-founder Gil Perry told TechCrunch that D-ID believes ChatGPT’s voice and facial expressions will allow more people to use the technology, as people who can’t read or write will now be able to converse. with AI. . Another goal of chat.D-ID is to make it easier for the elderly to use AI. The company believes its new web application will open up access to ChatGPT more widely.

“The app is an easier way to harness the power of AI and talk to ChatGPT,” said Perry. “We are able to communicate with faces, we understand the situation better if we do so. We feel more comfortable and better able to observe complex information when we are in a real scenario. Video is more efficient than text, so the app adds a face to increase the power of large language models.”

When you open the web app on your desktop or mobile device, you’ll be greeted by an avatar named “Alice”. You can then choose to type a question or click the microphone icon to speak the question out loud. D-ID notes that Alice can answer almost anything. You can ask Alice to simulate a job interview or even host a family trivia night. Given that the web app is still in beta, it’s not perfect.

Image sources: D-ID

The web app will soon offer a variety of current avatars for users to choose from. Users can upload any image they want. However, you won’t be able to upload pictures of celebrities or public figures, Perry notes. Within weeks, the web app will allow users to create and talk to a character like Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Perry believes it’s important to have the right face when talking to AI. For example, if an elementary school student wants to learn quantum physics, they can change the face of the app to that of Albert Einstein.

People can use chat.D-ID for free, but Perry notes that if the web app takes off and becomes too much for the startup to handle on its own, the company could start charging those users. Perry notes that D-ID is ready for the app to go viral, and the goal is to make it free.

Some may find the new web app a bit creepy, and D-ID knows that. However, Perry argues that humans will one day use AI in their daily lives, and D-ID believes that the face of AI will make it easier for humans to communicate with the technology.

When Microsoft added ChatGPT-like capabilities to Bing last month, the tech giant faced some backlash after users received disturbing and unsettling responses from the search engine. D-ID believes that it will not be in a similar situation because OpenAI has improved ChatGPT’s API and added protective barriers. Although D-ID says it is not responsible for Alice’s responses, it has built security measures into its web application, preventing users from uploading pornographic or violent images.

Image sources: D-ID

The launch of the new consumer app comes a week after D-ID introduced a chat API for companies for branding and customer experience purposes. Text-based chatbots are a popular way for consumers to interact with brands, and D-ID notes that this is a potential use for the new API, as it would allow brands to provide a more personal and interactive experience with customers.

The company’s latest developments come under the name D-ID, and several other companies, including Adobe and OpenAI, have announced their involvement in the ethical and responsible development, creation and sharing of synthetic media.

Since its launch a few months ago, Open AI ChatGPT has been dominating the internet and growing in popularity. As a result, AI has become a hot topic in recent months, so it’s no surprise that D-ID is looking to add a more realistic layer to the technology.

D-ID also announced a campaign with non-profit organization Spring ACT to use generative artificial intelligence to strengthen global online support for victims of domestic violence. Microsoft is supporting the campaign, which leverages Microsoft Azure AI text-to-speech capabilities and Azure AI cloud infrastructure.