Can Computer-Generated Speech Have an Age?
Earl W. Huff, Brodrick Stigall, Julian Brinkley, Richard Pak, Kelly E. Caine · 2020
The present study examines whether computer-generated speech is perceived to have an age, and if so, whether we can manipulate the perceived age of the voice. We conducted an experimental study with 51 participants where each computer-generated voice had different age-related characteristics such as the speed rate of the voice and frequency of the pitch. Participants listened to vehicle reviews presented by computer-generated voices with age-related characteristics we manipulated and then evaluated the age of the voice. Results show that we can change the perceived age of a computer-generated voice by manipulating the age-related characteristics of the voice. This work contributes to communities of HCI researchers interested in voice user interfaces (VUIs), conversational agents, and age stereotypes.