The aim of project ACTIVATE was to take real-time voice-transformation technologies (or 'vocal deepfakes') invented during project ERC CREAM, and test their potential for socioeconomic impact in the remote communication sector, and in particular customer relation/call centers.
During its 18-month duration, project ACTIVATE has produced 3 main results:
(1) we've developped an online open-source plateform (named 'Ducksoup') where the impact of 'vocal deepfakes' on conversations can be tested experimentally, for academia and the industry,
(2) we've taken technology from TRL3 to TRL 6 and conducted 15 proof-of-concept tests in real call-center operations at industrial sites in 2 of the biggest call-center operators in Europe (Webhelp, Comdata) and
(3) we've conducted the first experimental study of societal expectations towards vocal deepfakes and published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
The conclusion of the project is that real-time vocal deepfakes are ripe for massive adoption in the remote communication sector, and are associated with positive socio-economic impacts in call-center sale-per-hour, customer satisfaction and employee fatigue. The associated start-up, ALTA VOCE (www.alta-voce.tech) was successfully launched, and is now seeking investors.
