# AT&T Natural Voices

> text to speech technology developed by AT&T Laboratories

**Wikidata**: [Q125535717](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125535717)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/at-t-natural-voices

## Summary
AT&T Natural Voices is a text-to-speech (TTS) technology developed by AT&T Laboratories. Introduced in 1996, this software functions as a non-tangible executable component that converts written text into synthesized speech. It has been utilized in various media and technical contexts, including the projects "Red Planet" and "I Am Sam."

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** AT&T Laboratories
- **Inception:** 1996
- **Publication Date:** 1996
- **Instance of:** Software
- **Also Known As:** AT&T Natural Voices TTS
- **Target Users:** Used by the projects "Red Planet" and "I Am Sam"
- **Availability:** Distributed via Wizzard Software
- **Official Website:** http://www2.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/index.php
- **Language:** English (for website documentation)
- **Database ID:** ELMCIP Knowledge Base ID 12749

## FAQs
### Q: When was AT&T Natural Voices first developed and released?
A: The technology was conceived and published in 1996.

### Q: Who is the developer of this technology?
A: It was developed by AT&T Laboratories.

### Q: What type of software is AT&T Natural Voices?
A: It is classified as text-to-speech technology, which is a specific subset of software designed to convert text into spoken voice output.

### Q: Where can this software be accessed?
A: The technology is available through Wizzard Software, and its original documentation is hosted on the AT&T Labs website.

## Why It Matters
AT&T Natural Voices represents a significant application of software engineering in the field of artificial intelligence and linguistics. As a text-to-speech system, it transforms general-purpose computer hardware into a specific tool for auditory communication, bridging the gap between digital data and human interaction. By providing the executable logic necessary to synthesize human speech, it exemplifies the role of software as a creative work and functional means, distinct from the physical hardware it operates on. Its use in recognized projects like "I Am Sam" highlights its utility beyond mere functionality, serving as a cultural instrument in media production.

## Notable For
- **Early Commercial Deployment:** Launching in 1996, it stands as an early example of advanced text-to-speech software in the consumer and developer market.
- **Media Integration:** It is distinguished by its specific usage in the project "Red Planet" and the production "I Am Sam."
- **Academic Recognition:** The technology is indexed in the ELMCIP Knowledge Base (ID 12749), signifying its relevance in electronic literature and computational arts.
- **Architecture:** As a software entity, it is composed of computer programs and data, characterized by source code and specific software architecture typical of AT&T Laboratories' output.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
AT&T Natural Voices is defined as a text-to-speech technology and is formally classified as an instance of **software**. As a software entity, it constitutes the non-tangible executable component of a computer system. It functions as a creative work and a written work, serving as a tool to perform logical operations—specifically the synthesis of human speech from text input. It is distinct from computer hardware (physical objects) and relies on computer programs and data to function.

### Development and History
The technology was developed by **AT&T Laboratories**. Its inception and initial publication date both occurred in **1996**. This places it within the timeline of significant software developments from the mid-90s, contemporaneous with the rise of widespread internet adoption and multimedia computing.

### Usage and Deployment
AT&T Natural Voices has been implemented in specific external works and projects. Verified usage includes:
*   **Red Planet:** The technology was used by this project, as documented in archived AT&T Laboratories references.
*   **I Am Sam:** This entity is also listed as a user of the technology.

### Availability and Resources
The software is made available through the platform **Wizzard Software** (accessible at `https://wizzardsoftware.com/`). The official online presence for the technology is maintained by AT&T Laboratories, hosted at `http://www2.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/index.php`. An archived version of this site is preserved from March 2014. The primary language of the online documentation is English.

### Technical Context
As a piece of software, AT&T Natural Voices shares the fundamental characteristics of its class:
*   **Components:** It consists of computer programs and associated data.
*   **Attributes:** Its development and operation are governed by source code and specific software architecture.
*   **Nature:** It is a product and a means for a computer to perform specific arithmetic or logical operations to generate audio output.

## References

1. ELMCIP Knowledge Base
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20140210010251/http://www2.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/redplanet.html)