AI vs Real Human Voices Voicearchive

Fast-changing voice technology is a fact in any industry, so it is very common to feel lost or overwhelmed. The mushrooming of tech start-ups filled the internet with pitches of indistinguishable-from-human, instant-success voices… But are they really?

With this article, we aim to educate and inform you by analyzing these trending choices so you and your brand can leave competitors in the dust.

Synthetic Voices

A synthetic voice is an artificially produced version of a human voice. Speech synthesis is just another form of information output where a computer reads words to you out loud in a real or simulated voice, played through the device’s speaker.

Example: voice-guided navigation, yes/no control commands on automated messages, speaking out short messages for the visually impaired

Text-to-Speech

Text-to-Speech is a synthetic voice technology that uses computerized means to convert digital text into human speech.

Example: Google Text-to-Speech

AI Voices

AI is an abbreviation of Artificial Intelligence. AI voices are a type of synthetic voice, but they operate differently. This technology uses a type of artificial intelligence called “deep learning” (machine learning in artificial intelligence) to convert text into audible human-sounding speech but also has the capability to convert speech into text. In addition, AI technology can identify a person based on their voice command.

Example: voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, Amazon Transcribe

Voice Assistant

An intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is a software agent that can perform tasks or services for an individual based on commands or questions.

Examples: Google’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana

The Ultimate Checklist:
Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Voice-over is produced faster – even on the spot
  • Lower starting cost
  • Higher control during the creation and editing process

Cons

  • Voice exclusivity is expensive, so think twice if what you are offered is a voice everyone can have
  • Lack of emotion
  • Double-check flow, pronunciation, and accent
  • Risk of sounding monotonous
  • Frequent ambiguities (i.e., homographs)
  • Missed contextual clues
  • Small variety in sparsely spoken languages or local accents
  • Lack of spontaneity
  • Difficulty with acronyms, digit sequences, and abbreviations

So, can you tell the difference? Of course, you can!

Of course, you can.

Communication is not just about “sounding human”, but instead it’s mostly about real connection. The key to real connection is the “little” details: the pitch, loudness, durational changes, emotions, playfulness, and spontaneity that only humans know how to “navigate” according to context. But especially if you work on branded content, research has proved that when two people talk and understand each other both human brains synchronize.

 

It’s all about brand humanization

Never forget that when you invest in marketing or branded communication you do not do it only for the sake of promotion, but it is also to support and accent your brand. Make your brand’s voice human and especially chosen for your target audience. Any other choice is just a discount that you risk resulting in message resonance.

 

If you are working on such a project and you need professional advice, our voice-over professionals are always happy to help.

Get in touch with our team and take advantage of their expertise and professional advice. Within just a couple of hours, you will hear back from us and get a tailor-made quote.

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Anna Sticken

Global Key Account Manager