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OpenAI has acquired Weights.gg, a startup that provided an AI voice-cloning tool, the New York Times reported.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, the report said. OpenAI was reported to have acquired both Weights’ small staff team and its intellectual property. Weights announced in March that it would shut down its service.

Weights was a type of social network for creating and sharing AI algorithms such as voice cloning. One YouTube user revealed the process of using the technology to clone the voice of actor Samuel L. Jackson. Voice models cloning Taylor Swift, Kanye West and members of K-pop group Blackpink gained popularity on Weights.

It also offered voices of major politicians including President Donald Trump and former President Joseph Biden.

Some celebrities, including Jackson, have opposed having their voices cloned by AI. Last month Swift submitted a series of applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark her voice and likeness.

How OpenAI plans to use the Weights team and its technology is unclear. Sources said Weights employees were placed across several teams within OpenAI. Sources added that OpenAI is unlikely to launch a product similar to Weights.

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#OpenAI #Weights.gg #New York Times #Taylor Swift #U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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