Google DeepMind has hired the CEO and key engineers of AI voice startup Hume AI, TechCrunch reported on Jan. 22, citing Wired.
Google plans to integrate Hume AI’s emotion-recognition voice technology into its Gemini AI.
Hume AI has technology that analyzes users’ voices to identify emotions and mood. Last year it launched a conversational AI with emotional intelligence called the Empathetic Voice Interface. Hume AI has raised $80 million to date and expects $100 million in revenue this year, Wired reported, citing startup data service PitchBook.
Voice technology is emerging as the next competitive arena in the AI industry. Google is continuing to improve its Gemini Live feature. OpenAI is also upgrading its audio model and plans to launch an audio device. Meta acquired AI audio startup Play AI last year and is using it to enhance voice features in Ray-Ban smart glasses.
AI voice generation startup ElevenLabs recently said its annual recurring revenue has surpassed $330 million.
Chi-gyu Hwang
delight@d-today.co.kr