Can we give technology a new voice?
Boot up the options for your digital voice assistant of choice and you're likely to find two options for the gender you prefer interacting with: male or female.
As more genders are being recognized across the globe, it feels stagnant that technology is still stuck in the past only providing the binary male/female options.
Copenhagen Pride launched Q, the world's first genderless voice for Al assistants. Not only to challenge the gender bias and stereotypes facing technology today, but offer a potential solution. Q represents not the voice of one, but the voice of many fighting for a future inclusive of everyone.
Led by VIRTUE; a team of linguists, technologists, and sound designers we began by recording the voices of two dozen people who identify as transgender or nonbinary. After digitally altering the voices, we tested several different versions across 4600 participants. Q is perceived as gender neutral by the majority.
Impact
Results
6.7B Global reach +50K SHARES $0 Paid Media
Glass Lion
Bronze
3
4 Shortlists
(1) Cultural Driver, (2) Experiential Radio & Audio, (3) Innovation in Radio & Audio, (4) Innovation in Public Relations
Yellow
Sonic Branding
Wood
Audio / Creative Use of Technology
Future Impact
Future / Initiative / Equality & Diversity
Silver
2LOVIE FOR GOOD
People’s voice
Grand Clio
Product Innovation
Gold
Silver
“Challenges biases”
“The voice the world needs right now”
“This is an important step towards gender representation”
Ask Stig Kistvad, Voice Contributor
