Sanas co-founder defends ‘accent translator’ technology
Sanas Co-founder and COO Shareth Keshava Narayana is defending their company’s ‘accent translator’ technology from whitewashing and racist allegations.
In an appearance on ABC7’s Getting Answers, Narayana said that their company’s speech synthesizer could help call center employees facilitate communications between callers and outsourced call center employees.
The Silicon Valley innovator explained that much of call center workers’ abuse is either tied to customers’ bias against accented English speakers, their frustration that the call is taking too long, or their inability to understand the worker on the other end. Without condoning bias, Narayana stated that Sanas’ technology can help protect workers and their livelihoods.
Sanas is a new Silicon Valley startup that’s attracted tons of attention due to its speech synthesizer that turns accented speech into a non-accented American English voice.
It has gained significant support from venture capitalists as well as criticisms from critics. However, Narayana emphasized that they remain optimistic in their mission to connect worlds and facilitate communication between call centers and callers.
“I don’t know if I can change the world, but if I can help the agents go back home with a smile on their face and not be abused, I’ll take that win any day,” Narayana said.
Currently, seven outsourcing firms have already deployed Sanas products in their call centers. The company is also planning to open its headquarters in India.
