Technology that turns written text into spoken audio, often using AI to produce natural-sounding voices.
Text-to-speech, often shortened to TTS, has existed for decades, but early systems sounded robotic. Neural network models now generate speech with natural rhythm, emphasis, and emotion, and some can imitate a specific voice from a short sample.
Common uses include screen readers for people with visual impairments, audio versions of articles, navigation directions, phone menus, and voice replies from AI assistants. A small online course provider might use text-to-speech to create narrated lessons in several languages without hiring voice actors for each. The technology raises concerns when it is used to clone voices without consent, which can enable fraud. Many providers now require permission for voice cloning and add safeguards, but users should still verify unexpected voice requests.
Synthetic audio, video, or images generated or altered with AI to convincingly show someone saying or doing something they did not.
Speech RecognitionTechnology that converts spoken language into written text, allowing computers to understand voice commands and transcribe audio.
Web AccessibilityDesigning and building websites so people with disabilities, including visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments, can use them.
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