OpenAI Upgrades Voice Mode With Better Personality & Fewer Interruptions

In a recent video demo, Manuka, a researcher from OpenAI’s post-training team, introduced an upgraded Advanced Voice Mode designed to make voice interactions more intuitive and enjoyable.

The latest update features a more natural, engaging tone and, crucially, interrupts users less frequently, giving conversations a more relaxed, human-like flow. This change allows users to gather their thoughts and speak more freely without the pressure of constant back-and-forth.

“The model we’re shipping today has better personality and will interrupt you much less,” Manuka explains in the video. “It’s more engaging natural tone that's more direct and concise And then because it interrupts you less you'll be able to have more time to gather your thoughts and you know not feel like you have to fill in all the gaps and silences all the time.”

Demo Highlights

In the demo, Manuka tests the updated voice mode by asking GPT for help with a social scenario:

Scenario: She describes an awkward dinner party where no one is speaking and asks how to break the silence.

GPT Suggests:

• Ask light, open-ended questions like:

• “Has anyone discovered a new hobby lately?”

• “What’s the best thing you’ve eaten recently?”

• Avoid generic questions like “How’s the weather?”

• Tailor questions to the vibe of the group, such as favorite movies, upcoming plans, or recent trips.

In another scenario, she asks for advice on what dish to make for an upcoming dinner party—something that looks impressive but requires little cooking.

GPT Recommends:

• A Caprese salad: mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze

• It’s visually appealing, tasty, and effortless to prepare

What This Means

OpenAI’s updated voice mode signals a clear shift toward more natural, responsive AI conversations. By reducing interruptions and fine-tuning tone, the model allows for a smoother user experience that mirrors real human dialogue.

Whether you're breaking the ice at a party or asking for low-effort recipe ideas, GPT's voice is becoming more like a thoughtful conversational partner—and less like a chatbot.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.