In a groundbreaking development, ElevenLabs has partnered with Shapes to introduce voice interaction to AI friends on Discord, according to ElevenLabs. This innovative collaboration aims to redefine how users engage with AI entities in online communities.

Revolutionizing Online Community Interaction

Shapes are not merely chatbots; they are fully interactive, customizable, and constantly evolving AI friends. Over 1 million users engage with Shapes monthly on Discord. These AI entities can interact in threads, channels, and direct messages, mimicking human-like interactions. They can send pictures, react to voice messages, and maintain custom profiles, statuses, and bios. Their personalities are adaptable, ranging from friendly to sarcastic, wholesome to silly, depending on the friend groups they interact with.

Giving AI Friends a Voice

The integration of ElevenLabs’ text-to-speech technology has taken the Shapes experience to new heights. Initially discovered through ElevenLabs’ grants program, the Shapes team quickly recognized the potential of ElevenLabs’ AI voices to enhance their product. Once they received credits to collaborate, the integration process began.

The introduction of voice interaction has been met with enthusiasm from users. They can now upload an MP3 file of the voice they want their Shape to emulate and decide how frequently their Shape sends voice messages instead of text messages. This feature allows for a more personalized and engaging interaction, with the Shape’s personality consistently reflected across all voice interactions.

Broader Implications for AI in Social Platforms

This development comes at a time when the integration of AI in social platforms is gaining momentum. With the increasing sophistication of AI technologies, platforms like Discord are becoming fertile ground for innovative AI applications. The success of Shapes with voice interaction could pave the way for similar advancements across other platforms, enhancing user experience and engagement.

As AI continues to evolve, the collaboration between ElevenLabs and Shapes highlights the potential for AI to create more dynamic and personalized online communities. By giving AI friends a voice, this partnership is setting a new standard for interactive AI entities.

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