Block Unveils Dessa Voice Model Trained on 100% Human Conversation
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Oct 23
Block Unveils Dessa Voice Model Trained on 100% Human Conversation
3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Oct 23
Summary
Block introduced Dessa, a speech-to-speech AI model built from scratch using only human conversation, and released demo chats showing natural but sometimes awkward exchanges.
Dessa runs locally on a MacBook Pro M4 Max or better, with Block positioning it as a voice-native system that avoids flattening speech into text.
The company said it built the model for curiosity, better human-AI understanding and safety, arguing current voice AI often misses timing, emotion and signs of distress.
Block plans to give early access to a small group of AI safety researchers as it tests whether conversation-only training can make voice AI feel more human and more responsive.