Meta acquires AI audio startup WaveForms

Meta has made headlines with its latest acquisition of WaveForms, an AI voice technology startup, as reported by The Information. This move is part of the social media giant's ongoing strategy to bolster its new AI division, Superintelligence Labs, and marks its second significant investment in AI audio technology within a month, following the purchase of PlayAI. Founded just eight months ago, WaveForms has quickly made a name for itself, securing $40 million in funding from the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, which valued the company at $160 million before the investment. The startup was co-founded by Alexis Conneau, a former researcher at Meta and OpenAI, and Coralie Lemaitre, who previously worked as a strategist at Google. Reports suggest that both have joined Meta as part of the deal. Conneau is notably recognized for his work at OpenAI, where he co-developed the GPT-4-o Advanced Voice Mode neural networks. TechCrunch is currently seeking clarification on whether Kartikay Khandelwal, the third co-founder and chief technologist, will also be joining Meta, as well as the future for the approximately 14 other employees listed on LinkedIn. Interestingly, WaveForms has removed its website, but its LinkedIn page outlines an ambitious mission: to conquer the “Speech Turing Test,” which aims to determine if listeners can differentiate between human and AI-generated speech. Additionally, the startup was working on a project called “Emotional General Intelligence,” which seeks to enhance understanding of self-awareness and emotional management in individuals.