Social Research with Gender-Neutral Voices in Chatbots – The Generation and Evaluation of Artificial Gender-Neutral Voices with Praat and Google WaveNet
Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/Report › Chapter in book/Anthology/Report › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
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
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Chatbot Research and Design - 5th International Workshop, CONVERSATIONS 2021, Revised Selected Papers |
Editors | Asbjørn Følstad, Theo Araujo, Symeon Papadopoulos, Effie L.-C. Law, Ewa Luger, Morten Goodwin, Petter Bae Brandtzaeg |
Pages | 176-191 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Publication status | Published - 27 Jan 2022 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Workshop
Title | International Workshop on Chatbot Research and Design |
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Subtitle | CONVERSATIONS 2021 |
Conference number | |
Duration | 23 - 24 November 2021 |
Website | |
Location | |
City |
External IDs
Scopus | 85124669705 |
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Mendeley | 9d08f774-d2b1-356f-a91a-583b90e45ce8 |
ORCID | /0000-0001-6515-9985/work/142245100 |
Keywords
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Gender neutrality, Voice production, Voice-based chatbots