BBC Teaming With Microsoft on Artificial Intelligence Tests Using Voiceprints

The BBC is working with Microsoft to build an “experimental version” of its iPlayer internet-streaming catchup service that uses artificial intelligence “to allow individuals to sign in to BBC services using their unique voiceprint and to talk to their TV to select what they want to watch,” said Cyrus Saihan, BBC head-digital partnerships, in a Wednesday blog post. Just like fingerprints, “you have a voice that is totally unique to you,” said Saihan. In the BBC’s development work with Microsoft, a voice print is matched “to a sample of your voice stored in the cloud,” he said. Artificial intelligence software then “checks that you are who you say you are and then signs you in, without you having to type anything,” he said. The prototype they built “is only a proof of concept and we are still at the very early stages for voice interfaces,” he said. It focused on “getting the basics right,” including creating a working model that allows individuals to sign into an account using their voiceprints, he said. As the technology advances, voice prints and artificial intelligence “could enable even greater levels” of personalization, he said.