---
title: "Advanced Voice Model Developed by Block Can Process Human Speech in Real-Time"
url: https://noti.group/advanced-voice-model-developed-by-block-can-process-human-speech/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Technology"
published: 2026-10-24T16:00:00.000Z
updated: 2026-10-24T16:38:21.695Z
id: 564c1786-78df-4ea9-ad54-c72a263f51b3
source: "TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/24/blocks-new-voice-model-sounds-eerily-human/"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/advanced-voice-model-developed-by-block-can-process-human-speech/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Advanced Voice Model Developed by Block Can Process Human Speech in Real-Time

The company's new model, called Dessa, can engage in simultaneous conversation and produce natural-sounding responses.

Block, the company founded by Twitter's Jack Dorsey, has developed an advanced voice model called Dessa that can process human speech in real-time and produce eerily natural-sounding responses.

Dessa is a full-duplex model, which allows it to engage in simultaneous conversation, listening and speaking at the same time. This feature sets it apart from other models, including OpenAI's GPT-Live, released earlier this year. By running on a single NVIDIA GPU, Dessa requires minimal computational resources.

Unlike many existing voice models, Dessa doesn't rely on text-to-speech conversion to generate speech. Instead, its knowledge base is built directly into the model through extensive training on human conversational data. This approach eliminates the need for separate language models to retrieve information.

The company claims that Dessa's ability to mimic human emotions is a significant improvement over existing voice models, which often sound unnatural and awkward due to their reliance on text-driven speech generation. Block notes that many current models use voice tags or emotion steering to achieve a desired tone, but these approaches can come across as forced or artificial.

The company has expressed its frustration with the limitations of current voice AI technology, stating that it "throws away an incredible amount of information" and fails to capture the nuances of human emotion.

The company's research team has shared several conversations between users and Dessa, Block's new voice model, showcasing its ability to mimic human-like voices, cadences, and emotions. In one conversation, the bot expressed fatigue after a long day of work, sounding convincingly tired in response.

Dessa's emotional range is also on display in another example, where it discussed making someone feel comfortable while conveying a sense of vulnerability and near-emotional breakdown. The model's capacity to elicit empathy from users is a notable advancement in voice AI technology.

Block has provided examples of Dessa being used in more casual settings, such as playing games with team members, further highlighting its conversational capabilities. This showcases the potential for the voice model to be integrated into various business and consumer experiences.

The company plans to make Dessa available on consumer-grade computers, including devices like the MacBook M4 Max or better, allowing users to run the model locally without relying on cloud infrastructure. However, Block has also issued a call for safety researchers to test the model, likely to identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

As Block's new voice model gains attention for its eerily human-like sound, the company has issued a call for safety researchers to test the model and identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

This move comes as a precautionary measure to ensure that the technology is secure and doesn't pose any risks to users. By involving the cybersecurity community in the testing process, Block aims to uncover any weaknesses or flaws in its system before it's widely adopted. This proactive approach demonstrates the company's commitment to prioritizing user safety.

The voice model, which has been generating significant interest among tech enthusiasts, uses advanced AI algorithms to mimic human speech patterns and generate convincing responses. However, this level of sophistication also raises concerns about potential misuse or exploitation by malicious actors who could manipulate the system for their own gain.

As a result, Block's call for safety researchers to test the model is a crucial step in ensuring that the technology is deployed responsibly and with adequate safeguards in place to prevent any potential risks from materializing.

---
Source: [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/24/blocks-new-voice-model-sounds-eerily-human/)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/advanced-voice-model-developed-by-block-can-process-human-speech/