Google has officially released Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, an innovative text-to-speech model that significantly enhances the realism and expressiveness of synthetic voices. This new model is engineered to provide users with improved control over speech delivery, making it a valuable tool for developers and content creators.
According to recent evaluations from Artificial Analysis, Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS has already made a notable impact on industry performance metrics. It achieved a score of 1,211 Elo points on the TTS leaderboard, which is determined through blind listening tests involving extensive human comparisons. This impressive score places Gemini 3.1 in second place globally, just behind Inworld TTS 1.5 Max, which scored 1,215, and ahead of ElevenLabs Eleven v3, which scored 1,179. Notably, the model has been recognized in the “most attractive quadrant” by Artificial Analysis, emphasizing its ability to deliver high-quality speech output at a relatively low cost.
One of the standout features of Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS is the introduction of audio tags. This innovative system allows users to control various aspects of speech delivery through simple text instructions. Developers can easily insert tags into their scripts to modify tone, pacing, and expression in real-time, providing a level of control that is rarely seen in traditional TTS systems. With over 200 audio tags available, this inline prompting method empowers users to shape their speech outputs without the need for complex audio engineering, facilitating experimentation and refinement of voice experiences.
The model boasts support for more than 70 languages, including a variety of regional accent variations. This encompasses a range of English accents, from American to British styles such as RP and Brixton, in addition to a diverse selection of global languages. For users of Google Workspace, the integration with Google Vids introduces 30 conversational voice options across 24 languages, enhancing accessibility and localization for both content creators and businesses.
Safety Measures with Built-in Watermarking
In response to the growing concerns surrounding AI-generated media, Google has implemented a built-in watermarking feature for all audio produced by Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS. This watermark, known as SynthID, is embedded directly into the audio output, allowing for reliable detection of AI-generated content. Google states, “This imperceptible watermark is interwoven directly into the audio output, enabling the detection of synthetic content to help mitigate misinformation.” While the watermark is not audible, it can be identified to verify whether a clip was created by AI, thereby assisting in the identification of synthetic content and reducing misinformation risks.
How to Access Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS
Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS is currently available for developers in preview mode through the Gemini API and Google AI Studio. Enterprise teams can test the model on Vertex AI, while Google Workspace users can access it within Google Vids. This broad availability positions Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS as a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
In summary, the release of Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS marks a significant advancement in text-to-speech technology, offering enhanced naturalness, expressiveness, and control. With its capability to support multiple languages and accents, coupled with innovative features like audio tags and watermarking, it stands out as a powerful resource for developers and content creators looking to elevate their projects.
Source: eWEEK News