AI-Powered Accent Transformation by Krisp Enhances Communication

Krisp introduces an AI feature to change accents during calls, initially focusing on Indian to U.S. English. Tested in enterprises, it boosts sales and revenue. The beta version is now available, with plans for more accents and mobile app support.

In a groundbreaking move, audio startup Krisp has unveiled a new feature that leverages artificial intelligence to transform a user's accent during calls. This innovative solution is initially focused on converting Indian English accents to U.S. English, addressing a significant communication barrier in global interactions. The accent conversion process is designed to preserve the speaker's unique voice while altering phonemes to align with American accents, ensuring clarity and comprehension.

The feature, which has been rigorously tested in enterprise settings, is now available in beta on the Krisp desktop app. Users can activate it at any point during or before a call, offering flexibility and ease of use. According to Arto Minasyan, Krisp's co-founder, the inspiration for this feature arose from personal experiences of being misunderstood due to his accent, despite speaking English fluently. He emphasized that the goal is to enhance mutual understanding in conversations.

While initial tests by a reporter revealed some issues with naturalness and word omission, Krisp attributes these to the beta nature of the release, with assurances of ongoing improvements. Notably, enterprise testing showed promising results, with sales conversion rates increasing by 26.1% and revenue per booking rising by 14.8%.

Krisp's decision to prioritize Indian accents stems from the significant representation of Indian professionals in the global STEM workforce. Plans are underway to expand support to other accents, including Filipino. The technology, similar to that used by other startups like Sanas, is trained on thousands of speech samples encompassing various accents and dialects, utilizing data from Krisp's meeting assistant with user consent.

A key advantage of Krisp's feature is its ability to create a speaker profile in real-time without requiring pre-training on the user's voice. Looking ahead, Krisp plans to launch iOS and Android apps to facilitate in-person meetings, along with a new Chrome extension for seamless integration with Google Meet.

Krisp's AI-driven accent transformation not only bridges communication gaps but also empowers businesses to enhance customer interactions and drive revenue growth. As the technology evolves, it promises to redefine how we connect across linguistic boundaries, fostering a more inclusive and efficient global workforce.