In this exciting episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonia examine the rapid evolution of voice AI agents and their impact on higher education. They spotlight Sesame, a new open-source voice model that crosses the "uncanny valley" with its remarkably human-like speech capabilities. The hosts demonstrate these advanced voice technologies live and discuss how they're already transforming student support services, enrollment management, and call centers. As voice becomes the primary interface for AI interaction, colleges must adapt to meet student expectations for 24/7 instant support while maintaining an authentic, empathetic experience.The Voice AI Revolution Arrives (00:00:00)Introduction to the rapidly evolving voice AI landscape in spring 2025Shift from text-based prompting to voice as the primary AI interfaceVoice modes now standard in major AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity)Growing prevalence of AI voice agents in customer service contextsIntroducing Sesame: Breaking the Internet (00:02:00)Overview of Sesame, an ultra-realistic, open-source AI voice modelHow Sesame differentiates from previous voice technologiesThe significance of its open-source MIT license for wider adoptionCrossing the "uncanny valley" with human-indistinguishable speechLive Demonstration with Maya (00:09:00)Interactive conversation with the Sesame voice model "Maya"Demonstrations of emotional range, empathy, and conversational realismRole-play examples showing versatility for higher education scenariosShowcasing natural pauses, breathing patterns, and emotional intelligenceTechnical Approaches to Voice AI (00:14:00)Comparison of different voice technology architecturesTraditional pipeline: Speech-to-Text → LLM processing → Text-to-SpeechNative voice models: direct voice-to-voice processingHow end-to-end approaches improve latency, accuracy, and emotional contextParallels to human language processing and bilingual thinkingVoice AI Providers and Implementation (00:18:00)Overview of key players in the voice AI market (11Labs, OpenAI, Meta)Recent announcements including Llama 4's voice capabilitiesBuilding voice agent systems that minimize latencyMulti-channel implementation strategies beyond traditional phone callsHigher Education Use Cases (00:25:00)Enrollment support with multilingual family communication24/7 student services that match student productivity patternsIntegration across multiple communication channelsVoice as a natural query interface on campusEnhancing accessibility while maintaining personalizationTransforming Call Centers (00:30:00)How voice AI is replacing traditional IVR phone treesBenefits of AI-powered routing without human limitationsCost-saving potential with AI handling 30-50% of callsEliminating wait times during peak periods like financial aid seasonParallel processing capabilities versus sequential human staffingBalancing Technology and Responsibility (00:38:00)Ethical considerations for voice AI implementationImportance of accurate information deliveryHow human staff can focus on more complex, high-value interactionsReal-world implementations at Johnson Community College and other institutionsLooking ahead to continued voice technology improvements
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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