Launches·October 24, 2026 at 11:21 AM EDT·2 sources
Block’s new voice model sounds eerily human
XYZ -3.2%NVDA
XYZ · last 30 trading days-3.2% since the news
News
Training systema single Nvidia GB200 NVL72 computing system
Local hardware requirementM4 Max chip or better
What happened
- Block unveiled Dessa, a voice AI model trained entirely on human speech that can listen while speaking and handle interruptions, laughter and tone changes.
- The model can run locally on a MacBook Pro with an M4 Max chip or better and was trained from scratch using one Nvidia GB200 NVL72 system.
- The demonstration drew praise for natural interactions alongside concerns that humanlike voices could make scams and deception harder to detect.
Local hardware requirement
M4 Max chip or better
Training system
a single Nvidia GB200 NVL72 computing system
Availability
research preview rather than a publicly available product
Early access
a small group of AI safety researchers
Why it matters
For technology and payments professionals, Dessa highlights the competitive potential of locally run voice AI while raising fraud, authentication and safety considerations for Block’s consumer-facing businesses.
What to watch. Block is giving early access to a small group of AI safety researchers; the company has not disclosed a public release date.
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Timeline
- EarlierYesterdayApple is set to take back the market-cap crown from Nvidia. Upcoming earnings may push it over the top
- EarlierYesterdayTurmoil hits AI buildout as neoclouds face pressure, credit risks mount and Solidigm pulls IPO
- EarlierYesterdayHottest toy for Christmas? Nvidia CEO plays with adorable Microduck robots, 20,000 sell
- EarlierYesterdayNvidia's role as AI financier faces first big test as neoclouds take market hit
- First reported by CoinDeskYesterdayBlock's new voice AI sounds eerily human, sparking awe and scam fears
- TechCrunch reportsYesterdayBlock’s new voice model sounds eerily human
Who is involved
Block’s new voice model sounds eerily humanBlockXYZNvidiaNVDAJack DorseyChangpeng Zhao
CompanyPerson
Sources (2)
- CoinDeskYesterdayBlock's new voice AI sounds eerily human, sparking awe and scam fears
- TechCrunchYesterdayBlock’s new voice model sounds eerily human
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- Yesterday · Nvidia's role as AI financier faces first big test as neoclouds take market hit
- Yesterday · Hottest toy for Christmas? Nvidia CEO plays with adorable Microduck robots, 20,000 sell
- Yesterday · Turmoil hits AI buildout as neoclouds face pressure, credit risks mount and Solidigm pulls IPO
- Yesterday · Apple is set to take back the market-cap crown from Nvidia. Upcoming earnings may push it over the top
- Oct 23 · Can Nvidia’s stock become a safe haven as Wall Street rethinks the AI trade?
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