Meta has reportedly acquired WaveForms, an artificial intelligence startup specialising in audio-based models, as part of its efforts to strengthen its new AI division, Superintelligence Labs. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but WaveForms co-founders Alexis Conneau and Coralie Lemaitre will join Meta following the acquisition. This move comes just a month after Meta reportedly purchased Play AI, another voice-focused AI startup.
According to a report, WaveForms is an audio large language model research and product company that aims to solve the Speech Turing Test and develop what it calls “Emotional General Intelligence.” The Speech Turing Test is a variation of Alan Turing’s original concept, designed to determine whether a listener can distinguish between human and AI-generated speech. Passing the test means the listener cannot confidently identify which is which, making it a key benchmark in voice-based AI.
Founded in San Francisco in December 2024, WaveForms was established by former Meta and OpenAI researcher Alexis Conneau and former Google advertising strategist Coralie Lemaitre. Despite operating for less than a year, the startup reportedly raised 40 million US dollars, or about 350 crore rupees, earlier this year in a funding round led by a major venture capital firm.
As part of the acquisition, Conneau and Lemaitre will join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, and the company is expected to integrate WaveForms’ technology into its voice AI products. Meta has shown increased interest in voice AI, particularly to close the gap with competitors such as OpenAI and Google, which already offer natural-sounding voice features in ChatGPT and Gemini.
Industry observers believe these acquisitions indicate Meta’s strategy to enhance real-time, two-way voice interactions in its AI chatbot and strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving AI market.
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