France Lacks Access to ChatGPT Voice, Making Testing Impossible

Apple has officially launched Apple Intelligence, but the technology is currently unavailable in France. Meanwhile, OpenAI has also rolled out ChatGPT Voice, which is not yet accessible to users in France. What could be the reason for this? That’s the burning question.

Understanding the AI Act and Its Implications

On August 1, 2024, the European Union passed the AI Act, marking the first law to establish a regulatory framework governing the use of artificial intelligence across the EU member states.

One theory suggests that major tech corporations are using this law as a pretext to restrict access to new features for French users.

This speculation follows recent announcements from Apple regarding the official launch of Apple Intelligence just days ago.

Interestingly, the voice feature of ChatGPT is also unavailable in the UK and Switzerland, despite these countries having regulations that appear to be more lenient than those in France.

Is OpenAI Complying with GDPR Regulations?

Regardless of the situation, OpenAI has not provided any comments explaining why it has chosen to block access to ChatGPT Voice in France.

Moreover, OpenAI has already delayed the launch of ChatGPT’s memory mode for the European Union.

The company claims this postponement allows them to adhere to legal frameworks that govern data protection, including GDPR.

Could it be that OpenAI wants to make a positive impression on European authorities?

Indeed, just a day after the introduction of ChatGPT Voice, Sam Altman tweeted that they still need to complete additional evaluations before launching the advanced voice mode of ChatGPT in Europe.

What are Users Missing with ChatGPT Voice Restrictions?

As other countries begin to enjoy the latest features of ChatGPT Voice, French users must wait for the official launch to experience them themselves.

The delay means missing out on five new voice options, bringing the total to nine available voices.

This upgrade comes with the removal of the voice « Sky », which was discontinued in the spring due to its uncanny likeness to that of Scarlett Johansson.

Additionally, OpenAI has made significant enhancements to existing voices.

Previously, English voices exhibited a slight accent when used in other languages, but OpenAI has addressed this issue.

In theory, ChatGPT Voice promises a more natural experience across all supported languages. However, we cannot yet confirm this assertion until we gain access.

Furthermore, OpenAI has introduced the « Custom Instructions » feature, allowing users to tailor the way the voice assistant responds and to include specific information that the AI should remember.

Unfortunately, we are set to miss out on all these exciting advancements. OpenAI has yet to announce a specific date for the launch of ChatGPT Voice across all EU countries.

On a positive note, OpenAI has indicated that ChatGPT Team and Plus subscribers will be notified when the voice mode becomes available in Europe.

In the meantime, users are left to rely on existing voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, which certainly don’t provide the same level of human-like interaction.