Social Research with Gender-Neutral Voices in Chatbots – The Generation and Evaluation of Artificial Gender-Neutral Voices with Praat and Google WaveNet

Publikation: Beitrag in Buch/Konferenzbericht/Sammelband/GutachtenBeitrag in Buch/Sammelband/GutachtenBeigetragenBegutachtung

Abstract

Artificial voice generation enables the creation of gender-neutral voice-based chatbots, such as “Q”, and with this, new possibilities for social scientists to investigate effects of gender in chatbots on users. However, for this research, gender-neutral and matching male and female voices are necessary. This paper aims to match this need by providing a method for the creation of acoustically gender-neutral voices which can serve as a base for further investigation. The method requires less technical knowledge than most other approaches while, at the same time, theoretical assumptions about gender perception and neutrality can be modeled into the voices. Specifically, fundamental frequency and formant frequencies are outlined as major influences and subsequently included in voice production. In addition, an efficient two-step test for assessing gender perception is demonstrated. Applied to the produced voices, the test proved to be successful in determining gender-neutral variants. In sum, the paper shows that the production method and underlying theory are suited to create gender-neutral voices as well as matching male and female variants.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
TitelChatbot Research and Design - 5th International Workshop, CONVERSATIONS 2021, Revised Selected Papers
Redakteure/-innenAsbjørn Følstad, Theo Araujo, Symeon Papadopoulos, Effie L.-C. Law, Ewa Luger, Morten Goodwin, Petter Bae Brandtzaeg
Seiten176-191
Seitenumfang16
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 27 Jan. 2022
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Workshop

TitelInternational Workshop on Chatbot Research and Design
UntertitelCONVERSATIONS 2021
Veranstaltungsnummer
Dauer23 - 24 November 2021
Webseite
Ort
Stadt

Externe IDs

Scopus 85124669705
Mendeley 9d08f774-d2b1-356f-a91a-583b90e45ce8
ORCID /0000-0001-6515-9985/work/142245100

Schlagworte

Forschungsprofillinien der TU Dresden

Schlagwörter

  • Gender neutrality, Voice production, Voice-based chatbots