Microsoft Cloning Our Voices
Microsoft Cloning Our Voices Via Speak for Me Feature No need to speak anymore since there is a feature in Microsoft Windows 11 preview build (26052), named “Speak for Me”, feature that’s of voice cloning capabilities. It clones your own voice through creating a text-to-speech kind of version used for online meetings or other purposes.
At first, it was discovered by a user; it was like kind of an unfinished or a non-functional feature; it wasn’t intended for public use, but then Microsoft added it to the Windows 11 preview.
Text-to-Spoken Words
Voice cloning technology starts with the data collection of your voice recordings, in order to properly mimic it. This data comes from different sources, like speeches, interviews, podcasts, and phone calls. It’s all recorded with consent. If the quality and the quantity of data is good, then the cloned voice will sound quite natural.
After the data is collected, it’s used to train machine learning models, specifically the deep learning models such as Neural Networks. Such models analyze the pitch, the pattern of the speech, the intonation, and other properties of the targeted voice.
Encoding and decoding process is on; the audio data undergoes the encoding process to be represented as compressed as possible, capturing the voice’s unique features and generating audio signals that smack of the target voice.
The text-to speech application is synthesized by providing text input; you can just write texts, and then it will give a matching audio for the text portion, sewing them together to create a complete voice output.
Microsoft, Apple Is Already Cloning
This technology is not new. Apple has a similar functionality called “Personal Voice” on iOS devices, where you can create a digital copy of your voice by recording around 15 minutes of speech. It can be useful for individuals with speech impairments, allowing them to participate in online meetings without the need for robotic voices. It is currently functioning only in English.
Our voice identifies us. But voice cloning technology elevates ethical concerns regarding impersonation and misuse. Microsoft, we need robust safeguards to protect our privacy. Or else voices will be raised, and we’ll speak up, the legitimate ones! Our voices are a treasured gift; let’s use them properly. This is for you as well, Microsoft.
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