Breathe
By Catalina Barragan
In the digitized world, we are surrounded by a symphony of synthetic voices: from assistants like Siri and GPT Chat on our devices, to video narrators and voices in applications like Tik Tok or voicemail. These voices, designed under a standard of neutrality, end up homogenizing human diversity and unintentionally perpetuate an exclusionary "normality" that is unrepresentative of reality. By regularly interacting with these technologies, we are unconsciously conditioned to accept a very limited representation of humanity, marginalizing those who do not fit this mold.
However, the voice is much more than a means of communication, it is an essential expression of our individual and collective identity. A study conducted by neurolinguists in 2011 indicates that the voice is one of the most powerful vehicles for projecting our identity in society. Essentially, it is an extension of ourselves within the social fabric, fundamental for expressing ideas, defending proposals and communicating needs, representing a fundamental tool for navigating social and economic environments.
Despite advances in the visual representation of diversity, vocal plurality has been largely ignored and has become another front of discrimination. People with diverse identities who express themselves in voices that are far from the standard face tangible challenges. This is especially true for members of the LGBTIQ+ community, whose voices often transcend binary gender expressions by employing different tones, cadences and timbres than what we hear in our day-to-day lives and also through virtual assistants.
According to recent studies, 41% of gay men and 6% of lesbian women say they are identified as LGTBIQ+ because of their voices. For many people, these can be a sign of identity that challenges traditional gender norms, often resulting in discrimination and exclusion, not only socially, but also in their job opportunities and professional development.
In this context, artificial intelligence presents an opportunity to foster inclusion. New technologies replicate existing voices and enable the creation of new combinations of vocal characteristics, expanding the diversity represented and creating voice models that encompass a wider range of identities and speech styles. The impact of these innovations reaches diverse sectors: improving interactions with virtual assistants in customer services, facilitating accessible and multilingual educational resources, and enriching the entertainment experience with more realistic animated characters and video games.
Taking advantage of this juncture, projects such as the "Free the Voices" initiative, created from LLYC, emerge as an innovative bank of four synthetic voices, and soon a fifth, which have been created with the participation of 250 LGBTIQ+ voice samples, increasing visibility and promoting inclusion, while actively combating bias through exposure and normalization of vocal diversity.
This represents a call to action to recognize and diminish voice-generated biases, fostering a more inclusive and fair environment. By providing accessible tools, we encourage innovation and creativity in the production of digital content, and contribute to positive cultural change and greater acceptance of differences. Without a doubt, technology, when used consciously and ethically, can be a true reflection of human diversity and a bridge to a future where all voices are valued and respected.
While synthetic voices in technology reinforce a standard of neutrality that can marginalize vocal diversity, they also provide us with a unique opportunity to rethink and expand our perceptions of "normalcy." It is crucial that we recognize and utilize technology's ability to include and represent all voices, not just those that fit a predefined mold. In doing so, we can transform these tools of homogenization into instruments of diversification, opening pathways to a more inclusive society where each person's voice is heard and valued.
Each of us is your voice, and our voices define our identities. The standard is too silent; it is time to release the symphony within us as humanity.
*Directorof Corporate Communications at LLYC de México
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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