Jack Dorsey's Block Introduces Local Speech-to-Speech Voice Model Dessa

Payments giant Block has unveiled an advanced speech-to-speech artificial intelligence tool out of its research division named Dessa. Unlike traditional applications, the software is trained directly on audio files without converting spoken words to digital text, allowing it to preserve emotional nuances.

The engineering triumph allows the full-duplex software to execute seamlessly on consumer laptops like a MacBook Pro M4 Max. Capable of speaking and listening simultaneously, Dessa introduces natural physical behaviors like gasping and laughing into human-computer dialogue.