Speaking with an AI chatbot can be a little awkward, but companies like Google and OpenAI are working on fixing that.

It's actually too natural for some. When ChatGPT first launched in 2022, the only way to interact with it was through your keyboard. But it didn't take long for another breakthrough: real-time voice chat. ChatGPT's Voice Mode was the first feature of this kind, but we soon got competition from Google in the form of Gemini Live as well. Unlike older voice assistants like the Google Assistant, these chatbots can hold natural conversations on just about any subject and even search the internet for up-to-date information.

ChatGPT Voice tends to be much more expressive in its word selection and uses natural conversational markers in an attempt to sound more human. For example, it often pretends to think with a "mhmm" and even adds mid-sentence stutters. Gemini Live's response often sounds flatter in its delivery, simply because of the differences in tone and inflection. Some people dislike ChatGPT's exaggerated intonations, though, so you may prefer Google's approach.

ChatGPT Voice is more likely to search for information on the internet before answering. When asked about a recent release, Gemini defaulted to its existing knowledge and proclaimed that it did not exist. ChatGPT Voice paused and ultimately gave the correct answer. Both chatbots only offer a few minutes of conversation before cutting access unless you subscribe. ChatGPT Go costs $8 a month, while Google's AI Plus subscription costs $5 monthly.