Artificial intelligence is pushing the boundaries of how we communicate—and now, how we sound. A new tool from Krisp, an AI-powered communication software company, is making waves online for its real-time accent conversion technology that promises to make non-American English accents, particularly Indian ones, sound more “neutral”—or more precisely, more American.

In a recent demo video shared on X, Manoj, a call center agent from India, showcases how Krisp’s “voice preservation mode” works. “Clear communication is vital for my customers and me, but accent barriers can sometimes make it challenging,” he says. With the flip of a switch, the software filters out what it identifies as “challenging” parts of his accent. The result: Manoj still sounds like himself, but with a softened accent that leans toward a more generalized American tone. According to him, the tool makes conversations smoother and “improves satisfaction on both sides of the call.” With just a 200ms delay, the shift happens seamlessly and instantly.

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Krisp’s co-founder, Arto Minasyan, insists the move isn’t rooted in bias. “This isn’t about bias—it’s simply a reality of communication,” he explains. Still, the rollout has drawn sharp criticism and spurred debate about what’s being lost in the pursuit of clarity. The tool is already being tested in call centers, where agents are often expected to adapt their voices to suit Western ears. Free users of the product get 60 minutes of accent conversion per day, while a $15/month subscription buys ‘unlimited cultural uniformity’.

The response online has been divided. Some users defend the tool, arguing that communication efficiency in roles like customer support is critical, and if removing an accent helps get the point across faster and clearer, it’s a practical solution. “If you’re gonna speak a language, it needs to be done efficiently if it applies to a communication  occupation,” one person wrote. Another user pointed out that “some of us can’t speak another language and appreciate others who have that ability, but being in awe of that talent doesn’t mean I’m suddenly able to understand the accent, especially when there are hearing challenges that make it harder.”

Still, many are asking: Which American accent is being promoted here? “So is it a posh New England accent, a Northern Maine accent, a Bronx accent, a Texas Drawl, an Appalachian foothills accent, a Louisiana Cajun accent, or one of about 50 other “American” accents?  “Enquiring minds want to know…” a user wrote.

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Some see this as a stepping stone to full automation. “With AI, we won’t need Josh from Texas or Jay from BLR,” another comment noted. Others lament the effort they’ve already put into conforming. “I invested so much time in learning a mediocre, nonsensical American accent. It was all for nothing,” one person said, reflecting a widespread sentiment among non-native English speakers who’ve adapted for survival in global business.

Ultimately, Krisp’s AI accent converter has opened a much-needed conversation about the balance between clarity and cultural erasure. As businesses become increasingly global and tools like these go mainstream, the challenge won’t just be about understanding each other—it will be about making sure we don’t lose ourselves in the process.