Anthropic, a prominent AI startup founded by former OpenAI employees, is poised to launch a voice AI feature within its Claude AI chatbot, according to a report by Bloomberg. This development is seen as a direct challenge to OpenAI's similar feature within ChatGPT. The new voice mode, expected to roll out as soon as this month, will offer users three English-language voices: Mellow, Airy, and Buttery.

The news comes on the heels of Anthropic's chief product officer, Mike Kreiger, hinting at the feature in an interview with the Financial Times last month. Kreiger mentioned that the company had prototypes of voice mode, which would be a useful modality to have. The app researcher M1Astra initially uncovered references to voice mode in Anthropic's iOS app, which Bloomberg later confirmed.

This move is significant, as it marks a major milestone in the AI chatbot space. Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot has been gaining traction, and the addition of voice mode is expected to further enhance user experience. The feature will allow users to interact with the AI in a more conversational and natural way, making it more appealing to a broader audience.

The launch of voice mode also highlights the growing competition between Anthropic and OpenAI. Both companies have been investing heavily in AI research and development, and the introduction of voice mode is seen as a key differentiator in the market. OpenAI's ChatGPT has been a dominant player in the space, but Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot has been gaining ground, especially with its recent launch of a $200/month tier for "power" users.

Industry experts believe that the introduction of voice mode will have significant implications for the AI chatbot space. "This is a game-changer for the industry," said Dr. Rachel Thomas, an AI researcher at the University of California. "Voice mode will make AI chatbots more accessible and user-friendly, which will lead to increased adoption and further innovation in the space."

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the launch of voice mode by Anthropic is expected to have a ripple effect on the industry. With major players like Google and Microsoft also investing in AI research, the competition is heating up. The introduction of voice mode is a significant step forward, and it will be interesting to see how the industry responds to this development.

In conclusion, Anthropic's launch of voice mode is a major milestone in the AI chatbot space. The feature is expected to enhance user experience, increase adoption, and drive further innovation in the industry. As the competition between Anthropic and OpenAI intensifies, it will be exciting to see how the industry evolves in the coming months.