VOA慢速：OpenAI推出语音克隆工具，待公开发布
OpenAI Introduces Voice Cloning Tool, But Waits for Public Release
慢速 | CET-4难 | 644词 | 6min11s
刘立军供稿
Part I. QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
Q1. What is the name of the tool developed by OpenAI that can reproduce human voices?
A. AI Voice.
B. Voice Cloner.
C. Voice Engine.
D. Audio Replicator.
Q2. When did OpenAI release details about Voice Engine?
A. February 28.
B. March 29.
C. April 30.
D. May 31.
Q3. What does OpenAI require to generate natural-sounding speech using Voice Engine?
A. A 5-second audio sample.
B. A 15-second audio sample.
C. A 30-second audio sample.
D. A 60-second audio sample.
Q4. What can be inferred about the future plans of OpenAI for Voice Engine?
A. They plan to release it immediately after testing.
B. They will release it only in English.
C. They intend to release it after further development and safety measures.
D. They have no plans to release it to the public.
Q5. What can be known about the testing phase of Voice Engine?
A. It is open to the general public.
B. It is limited to a small group of partners.
C. It is being conducted without any safety measures.
D. It is focused on generating voices in different languages.
Q6. What is one of the risks associated with voice cloning technology that OpenAI is concerned about?
A. Misuse in financial transactions.
B. Overuse in entertainment.
C. Disruption of educational systems.
D. Excessive use in customer service.
Q7. What is the purpose of OpenAI’s contact with various partners from different sectors?
A. To gain financial support for Voice Engine.
B. To seek advice on the best ways to develop and deploy the system.
C. To form a coalition against misuse of voice cloning technology.
D. To promote the use of Voice Engine in their sectors.
Q8. What is the name of another company developing similar voice cloning tools?
A. Descript.
B. AI Voice Tech.
C. VoiceCraft.
D. AudioGenius.
Q9. What is one of the uses for Voice Engine that OpenAI has listed?
A. To impersonate celebrities for entertainment.
B. To create fake news reports.
C. To provide reading assistance to non-readers or children.
D. To replace human teachers in classrooms.
Q10. What is the main concern of OpenAI regarding the release of Voice Engine to the public?
A. The cost of the technology.
B. The lack of public interest.
C. The competition with other companies.
D. The potential for misuse.
Part II. TRANSCRIPT
OpenAI Introduces Voice Cloning Tool, But Waits for Public Release
ChatGPT developer OpenAI has introduced a new tool that it says can reproduce human voices with just a short audio sample.
The tool is among several developed by technology companies that aim to clone voices with a high level of exactness.
(Q1) The system is called Voice Engine. (Q2) OpenAI released details about Voice Engine on March 29. The company also released some examples of how the tool performs.
(Q3) The company explained in a statement that the system uses written instructions and a 15-second audio sample to produce, or generate, “natural-sounding speech” in the voice of any speaker.
OpenAI said it has been working on developing the tool since late 2022. (Q4) It plans to continue developing it before releasing it to the public. The company said the delayed release represents “a cautious and informed” effort to prevent possible misuse.
(Q5) OpenAI said it began testing Voice Engine “with a small group of trusted partners.” This testing aims to help company officials decide how to improve the tool’s safety and learn how it can “be used for good” across different industries.
There have already been highly publicized examples of false, or fake, voice recordings that sound like well-known people and politicians.
publicize v. 宣传；推广
One such example was an AI-manufactured voice claiming to belong to U.S. President Joe Biden. The voice was turned into a message that was sent by telephone to voters earlier this year in the state of New Hampshire.
In the fake audio, Biden appears to try to urge voters not to take part in presidential primary voting. Election officials in New Hampshire are still investigating the incident.
OpenAI’s statement identified such election risks. “We recognize that generating speech that resembles people’s voices has serious risks, which are especially top of mind in an election year.”
There have been other examples of so-called “deepfakes” being used in political campaigns around the world. A “deepfake” is a piece of audio or video created to make it appear that people in it are saying or doing things that they never did.
OpenAI said it is currently discussing how to limit these and other risks of such voice cloning systems. (Q6) Technology experts have also warned such tools can be used to carry out financial crimes. For example, voices can be recorded and then reproduced to represent another individual in an effort to carry out fraud.
fraud n. 欺诈罪；欺骗罪
The company said it has been in contact with U.S. and international partners “from across government, media, entertainment, education, civil society and beyond.” (Q7) The aim is to get advice from people in these groups about the best ways to develop and deploy the system, OpenAI said.
deploy v. 有效地利用；调动
OpenAI said its early Voice Engine testers have agreed not to represent a person without their permission and to clearly state that the voices are produced by AI. The company is best known for its launch of the AI-powered ChatGPT tool, which was launched in November 2022.
(Q8) There are several other companies developing similar voice cloning tools. One of the most widely known is called Descript. The company explains on its website the AI-powered system can clone any person’s voice with a 60-second audio sample.
Descript also offers other services involving audio and video production. The company’s website says users can choose a free plan that includes up to 1,000 words of voice cloning. For $24, users can get unlimited voice generation, Descript said.
OpenAI listed several possible uses for the technology tool. (Q9) These include providing reading assistance to non-readers or children, supporting individuals who cannot speak, and helping patients recover their voice.
The company said its Voice Engine system can work in several languages. One example of such use is taking an English voice recording and producing a new audio version in another language. In an example released online, OpenAI demonstrated a person’s voice and style of speaking can remain the same in other targeted languages.
Part III. KEY
1. C．细节题。文章中提到：“The system is called Voice Engine.”意为：“该系统被称为Voice Engine。”因此，正确答案是C。
2. B．细节题。文章中提到：“OpenAI released details about Voice Engine on March 29.”意为：“OpenAI在3月29日发布了有关Voice Engine的具体信息。”因此，正确答案是B。
3. B．细节题。文章中提到：“...uses written instructions and a 15-second audio sample to produce, or generate, ‘natural-sounding speech’... ”意为：“……使用书面指令和15秒的音频样本来产生或生成‘听起来很自然的语音’……”因此，正确答案是B。
4. C．推理题。文章中提到：“It plans to continue developing it before releasing it to the public. The company said the delayed release represents “a cautious and informed” effort to prevent possible misuse.”意为：“它计划继续开发，然后再向公众发布。公司称，推迟发布意味着在为预防可能存在的滥用而做出细致且明智的努力。”这表明OpenAI打算在进一步开发和确保安全措施到位之后发布Voice Engine。因此，正确答案是C。
5. B．细节题。文章中提到：“OpenAI said it began testing Voice Engine ‘with a small group of trusted partners.’ ”意为：“OpenAI表示它开始在一小群值得信赖的合作伙伴中测试Voice Engine。”由此可以推断，测试阶段是仅限于一小部分合作伙伴的范围之内的。因此，正确答案是B。
6. A．细节题。文章中提到：“Technology experts have also warned such tools can be used to carry out financial crimes.”意为：“技术专家也警告说，这些工具可能被用于实施金融犯罪。”因此，正确答案是A。
7. B．细节题。文章中提到：“The aim is to get advice from people in these groups about the best ways to develop and deploy the system...”意为：“目的是从这些群体的人那里获得关于开发和部署系统的最佳方式的建议……”因此，正确答案是B。
8. A．细节题。文章中提到：“There are several other companies developing similar voice cloning tools. One of the most widely known is called Descript.”意为：“还有几家公司正在开发类似的语音克隆工具。其中最著名的一家叫做Descript。”因此，正确答案是A。
9. C．细节题。文章中提到：“...including providing reading assistance to non-readers or children...”意为：“……包括为阅读能力较弱的人或儿童提供阅读帮助……”因此，正确答案是C。
10. D．主旨题。整篇文章讨论了OpenAI对于Voice Engine可能被滥用的担忧，包括在选举中的风险以及金融犯罪的潜在可能。因此，正确答案是D。
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