Meta Acquires AI Audio Startup Waveforms

Meta Acquires AI Voice Startup WaveForms

Meta has completed the acquisition of AI voice technology company WaveForms, according to a report by The Information. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This acquisition represents the latest strategic move by Meta to bolster its burgeoning AI division, Superintelligence Labs. It also marks Meta’s second significant investment in AI audio technology within the past month, following the purchase of PlayAI.

WaveForms' Rapid Rise and Funding

Established only eight months prior to the acquisition, WaveForms had already secured $40 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz. PitchBook data indicates a pre-money valuation of $160 million for the startup.

Key Personnel Joining Meta

Notably, two of WaveForms’ co-founders – Alexis Conneau and Coralie Lemaitre – are transitioning to Meta. Conneau previously contributed to the development of GPT4-o Advanced Voice Mode neural networks during his tenure at OpenAI and Meta. Lemaitre brings experience from her time as a Google advertising strategist.

Inquiries have been made to WaveForms regarding the future of their chief technologist, Kartikay Khandelwal, and the implications of the acquisition for the company’s remaining 14 employees (as per LinkedIn).

WaveForms' Technological Focus

WaveForms had deactivated its official website; however, its LinkedIn profile details the company’s core objective. They were dedicated to achieving the “Speech Turing Test,” a benchmark for evaluating the indistinguishability of AI-generated speech from human speech.

Furthermore, WaveForms was actively engaged in the development of “Emotional General Intelligence,” a field concentrating on the comprehension of self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Note: A correction has been made to clarify Kartikay Khandelwal’s position within WaveForms.