OpenAI, the company that developed the models and products related to ChatGPT, plans to announce a new audio language model in the first quarter of 2026, and that model will be an intentional step toward an audio-based physical hardware device, according to a report in The Information.
Citing a variety of sources familiar with the plans, including both current and former employees, The Information claims that OpenAI has made efforts to combine multiple engineering, product and research teams under one initiative aimed at improving audio models, which researchers at the company believe lag behind those used for written text in terms of both accuracy and speed.
They have also seen that relatively few ChatGPT users choose to use the voice interface, while most people prefer the text interface. The hope may be that a substantial improvement in audio models could shift user behavior toward voice interfaces, allowing the models and products to be deployed on a wider range of devices, such as in cars.
OpenAI plans to release a range of physical devices in the coming years, starting with an audio-focused device. People within the company have discussed various forms for future devices, including smart speakers and glasses, but the emphasis across the board is on audio interfaces rather than screen-based interfaces.
