OpenAI, the company that developed the models and products associated with ChatGPT, plans to announce a new audio language model in the first quarter of 2026, and this model will be a deliberate step on the way to an audio-based physical hardware device, according to a report from The Information.
Citing multiple sources familiar with the plans, including both current and former employees, The Information claims that OpenAI has attempted to combine multiple teams in engineering, product, and research under an initiative focused on improving audio models, which company researchers believe lags behind models used for written text in terms of both accuracy and speed.
They also observed that relatively few ChatGPT users choose to use the voice interface, with the majority preferring the text interface. The hope may be that significantly improving audio models will shift user behavior toward voice interfaces, allowing models and products to be deployed in a wider range of devices such as cars.
OpenAI plans to release a family of physical devices in the coming years, starting with an audio-focused device. People inside the company have discussed various forms for future devices, including smart speakers and glasses, but with an emphasis on audio interfaces rather than screen-based ones.
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