People are really bad at spotting AI-generated deepfake voices

Can You Tell the Difference Between Human and AI Voices?

Artificial intelligence has made significant advancements in reproducing human voices to the point where it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to distinguish between AI-generated voices and real human voices. A recent study has shown that in instances of conversational-style speech or with familiar voices, such as those of friends or family, people struggle to differentiate between the two.

The ability to replicate human voices using AI technology has been a longstanding research goal, with applications ranging from assisting individuals who have lost the ability to speak to creating more natural-sounding virtual assistants. However, until recently, individuals were able to identify AI-generated voices with relative ease. In a study conducted in 2023, researchers discovered that English and Mandarin speakers could only distinguish between real and deepfake voices approximately 70 percent of the time.