Open Voice #160: EU voice data event tomorrow, Open Voice Network launched, non-binary assistants, more EU restrictions, Coldplay and WWF's new voice apps.

An EU relevant event tomorrow about the new data from the Voicebot Research ground on Germany and the UK. Plus the US of course. 5 PM Amsterdam time on June 29th.

Happy about this one. Less than a year after I shared that Voice needs standards, the Open Voice Network made its first movements. The amazing Jon Stine took up the reins to what is now an official part of the Linux Foundation. An organization working towards standards that we all need. Today, the Open Voice Network is backed by key global players and operating in a good rhythm as the workshop last week showed. A proud moment and oh, so at the beginning!

The EU organizations EDPB & EDPS call for a ban on the use of AI for automated recognition of human features in publicly accessible spaces. This is recognition of the face, voice as well as gait, and other features.

The organizations have adopted a joint opinion on the European Commission’s Proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonized rules on artificial intelligence. 

Important work here. All assistants should have this technology incorporated. Alexa Fund company unlocks voice-based computing for people who have trouble using their voices.

Just the other week I recorded a podcast with an organization that had a non-binary name for their assistant. Non-binary voice assistants are a solution for brands looking to reduce gender bias and the reinforcing of gender stereotypes in voice AI. This article goes into detail about how to make one.

The way to cross the chams is to integrate and partner with other large players. Here is one: Verizon’s very first smart display is based on Amazon’s Alexa assistant, and connects to the internet via Wi-Fi or 4G LTE.

An exploration into how a neural voice is made and how to make it ethically acceptable.

“Hey Google, praat met Wereld Natuur Fonds”  enables kids and families to play games, listen to stories and (most important) listen to animal sounds. Soon all campaigns will have a voice experience. This is a good start.

Alexa can make Coldplay your alarm clock in the morning thanks to the band’s official new voice app. Now here is a way to integrate as well as use pop culture to grow voice as a channel.