Block’s Dessa AI Runs Locally, Trained Solely on Human Speech

WHO:

Mashable - The article identifies Jack Dorsey and Block, Inc. in connection with the company’s AI model, Dessa.

Techmeme - The article attributes its report to Jay Peters of The Verge and identifies Block as the company behind Dessa.

WHAT:

Mashable - The headline says Block’s latest AI model, Dessa, was trained entirely on human speech.

Techmeme - Block unveiled Dessa as a “true speech-to-speech” AI model trained on “nothing but human conversation.”

Mashable - The article describes the development as “simultaneously awesome and terrifying.”

Techmeme - The article urges readers to listen to conversations with Block’s Dessa AI model.

WHERE:

Techmeme - Block says Dessa runs locally on a MacBook Pro M4 Max or better.

HOW:

Mashable - The headline states that Dessa was trained entirely on human speech.

Techmeme - Block says the model was trained on “nothing but human conversation” and runs locally on supported MacBook Pro hardware.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 19:05 UTC)

Block, the company led by Jack Dorsey, has unveiled Dessa, an artificial intelligence model designed to speak directly with people. Block describes it as a true speech-to-speech system, trained entirely on human conversation rather than other kinds of material. The company says Dessa can run locally on a MacBook Pro with an M4 Max chip or better, so the model does not need to run on remote servers. That combination of natural conversation and on-device operation sets Dessa apart from many AI tools that respond through text or rely on cloud computing. The model’s launch has prompted both excitement and unease about how convincing AI speech can become. Block is encouraging people to listen to conversations with Dessa and hear how it performs. The system’s training and local setup make it a notable new entry in the fast-moving field of conversational AI.