Imagine talking to an AI and actually feeling like you're having a conversation, not just exchanging stilted messages. That's the promise of "duplex models," a new approach to building chatbots that lets them listen and respond in real time, just like humans do. Unlike current chatbots that make you wait for a full response before you can speak again, duplex models can process your input and generate their own output simultaneously. They can even interrupt or be interrupted, mimicking the natural flow of real-world conversations. This breakthrough is achieved by breaking down conversations into small "time slices." The model processes these slices almost instantly, allowing for a dynamic back-and-forth. To train these models, researchers created a special dataset with millions of conversations, including interruptions and topic changes. This dataset helps the AI learn how to handle the unpredictable nature of real-time speech. Initial tests show duplex models not only improve responsiveness and naturalness but also significantly enhance user satisfaction. While there are challenges ahead, such as creating more realistic training data and smoothing out the AI’s synthesized voice, duplex models represent a major leap toward truly conversational AI. This could change everything from customer service bots to virtual companions, making our interactions with technology feel less robotic and more human.