Voice Becomes the Next AI Battleground

[madmax]

While key staff move to Google, Hume AI will continue operating independently and supplying its emotion-aware voice technology to other companies. The startup plans to release new models in the coming months and expects to generate $100 million in revenue this year. Hume is best known for its Empathetic Voice Interface, which analyzes tone and emotion to make conversations with AI feel more human.

The deal highlights how voice is emerging as a critical frontier in AI. Google, OpenAI, Meta, and others are racing to improve audio-first experiences as wearables and voice-driven devices gain traction. With demand for voice AI surging — and startups like ElevenLabs reporting hundreds of millions in recurring revenue — talent-focused deals like this one may become increasingly common, even as regulators begin to scrutinize them more closely.

[cryptobro]

voice ai is heating up. empathetic voice interfaces and audio-first ai are the next frontier with wearables and smart devices.