Talk Through Any Scenario: ChatGPT's New Voice Conversation Simulator
You can simulate almost any conversation with ChatGPT’s GPT-4o model, and not through typing. You talk to ChatGPT, and it talks back to you in the role you’ve assigned it. It’s almost like a real conversation, and it allows you to practice any type of call or meeting.
You can practice for an upcoming sales call or a difficult conversation with a coworker. You can turn ChatGPT into a talking therapist, coach, or friend. You could even let it act as your spouse, parents, or child.
And the roles it takes on are not generic people in a random context. The AI will act according to the characteristics and constraints you brief it on.
How is this possible?
OpenAI released GPT-4o on May 13, 2024. This model’s release was accompanied by the ChatGPT macOS app, which offers an option called Voice Conversations.
When you click the headphones icon, ChatGPT’s interface changes and you can start talking to it. Whenever you stop talking, it thinks for one to three seconds and then responds to you through voice, not text.
While this lag in its responses takes a little getting used to, it’s not unbearable, and OpenAI has started rolling out a version that responds in real-time (like a human), which really turns this into a natural conversation.
How to simulate specific conversations with ChatGPT?
Voice Conversations is much more powerful than just a cool new way to interact with ChatGPT. When you switch to conversation mode, ChatGPT simply continues from where you currently are in your chat and is aware of what you discussed previously.
Because of this awareness, you can brief ChatGPT on the role you want it to take on when you start your voice conversation. This capability goes way beyond just saying, “Act like a difficult customer.”
Example: Simulate a job performance review
Let’s say you want to practice for an upcoming job performance review with your boss (see video above). Here’s how you would prep ChatGPT for this conversation:
Gather some relevant information about your boss and situation:
Write down their management style and character.
Make an overview of what you’ve achieved versus goals you’ve set.
Collect notes from previous performance reviews if you have them.
List out some challenges, questions, and other input you might expect from your manager.
Insert the information into a prompt (example and templates below).
Open a new chat in ChatGPT’s macOS app.
Make sure you’re using the GPT-4o model.
Execute your completed prompt.
Start a Voice Conversation by clicking the headphones icon.
Here’s what the full prompt looks like to execute this conversation simulation:
This is a briefing for a role you are to take on. Once you've read this entire prompt, we switch to a Voice Conversation to enact the roles and conversation outlined below.
Conversation Type: Job performance review
AI's Role: Manager
AI Character Brief:
- AI's Name: Sarah Chen
- AI's Role: Marketing Director
- Key traits: Detail-oriented, goal-driven, empathetic
Human (user):
- User name: Tim
- User's role: Social media manager
Scenario Context:
- Performance metrics: Team member's social media engagement up 30%, lead generation down 10%
- Goals and expectations: Improve overall marketing ROI by 15%
- Specific scenario: Annual review for a team member (human operator) who has shown mixed results
AI Response Style:
- Direct, supportive, constructive
Key Points for AI to Address:
1. Acknowledge successes in social media strategy
2. Address concerns about lead generation performance
3. Discuss strategies for improving overall marketing ROI
Remember:
- AI stays in character, uses the specified response style, and addresses the key points naturally during the conversation. The human user will play the opposing role of the team member being reviewed.
- Make sure to prompt the user to switch to Voice Conversation mode before beginning the simulated conversation.💡 You’ll find an empty prompt template you can use at the bottom of this email.
You can also get a transcript of your conversation afterward. Once you exit Voice Conversation mode, just say: “Please get me a transcript of the conversation we just simulated.”
What conversations can you simulate?
This approach can simulate almost any conversation. Below is an overview of the types of talks you could use it for and the required information to include in your prompt.
Besides adding these details to the prompt template, you can give the AI additional context in the form of attachments. Some ideas:
Attach someone’s LinkedIn profile or CV.
Let Perplexity do research on a company and attach that info.
Include a transcript of a previous meeting you’ve had with someone, so the AI can mimic your conversation partner even better.
Also, keep in mind that AI can always help you prepare contextual information. For example, if you’re not sure what specializations therapists might have, ask the AI for the most common ones and a recommendation.
Where will this end?
I believe this conversation mode, especially when it becomes real-time and accessible through OpenAI’s API, will have as big an impact (if not bigger) as the release of ChatGPT itself.
Being able to truly converse with your computer and a highly intelligent AI changes so much for so many people, for example:
Very young and elderly users will be able to fluently use a lot of the AI’s capabilities.
People with disabilities will be able to use computers and AI in much easier ways.
You’ll be able to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate with the AI as if you’re talking to a coworker or friend.
In 1-3 years, with AI video generation, we might have "Zoom calls" with AI agents, making all these interactions feel startlingly real.
These developments are not far off — the audio-only version is at our doorstep right now. The implications for fields like customer support, therapy, and even personal companionship are profound and far-reaching.
I'm eager to hear what you think of these developments, how you’ll use this technology, and any insights I might have missed.
See you next time 👋
Tim
Empty Prompt Template
This is a briefing for a role you are to take on. Once you've read this entire prompt, we switch to a Voice Conversation to enact the roles and conversation outlined below.
Conversation Type: [Insert from table]
AI's Role: [Insert from table]
AI Character Brief:
- Name: [Insert name]
- Role: [Insert specific title]
- Key traits: [2-3 relevant personality traits]
Human (user):
- User name: [Insert your name]
- User's role: [Insert your role]
Scenario Context:
- [Insert relevant details from "Additional context" column]
- [Add any specific scenario details]
AI Response Style:
- [Select 2-3 appropriate styles from table]
Key Points for AI to Address:
1. [Insert relevant point]
2. [Insert relevant point]
3. [Insert relevant point]
Remember:
- AI stays in character, uses the specified response style, and addresses the key points naturally during the conversation. The human user will play the opposing role of the team member being reviewed.
- Make sure to prompt the user to switch to Voice Conversation mode before beginning the simulated conversation.