Next acquisition: Meta buys voice generator PlayAI

The next takeover: Meta has struck again, this time acquiring PlayAI. An AI start-up that is working on generating the most natural-sounding voices possible for AI voice agents. They call it Real-time Voice Intelligence. The software is apparently already being used in numerous applications. Companies listed as customers on the PlayAI website – include Bosch, Salesforce, Amazon, Ford, Walgreens, Red Bull and many more.

In the future, these companies will now be using a service from Meta. This is because the startup and its entire team are changing hands. Meta has already confirmed the takeover to Bloomberg. The deal is expected to be finalized next week, and the employees will be assigned to Meta. There are no further details on the costs or conditions as yet.

Bloomberg also quotes an internal memo which states that PlayAI would be a great asset to Meta's plans for AI characters, Meta AI, wearables, and audio creation. In fact, Meta had already had a department for such audio services for a long time. Voicebox, for example, is a generative voice AI. Meta did not want to make it publicly available in 2023 because the technology had too much potential for misuse. This has certainly changed now, as other providers have not been holding back.

The PlayAI team reportedly reports to Johan Schalkwyk, who recently joined Meta from Sesame AI. According to its statements, Sesame AI is working on "making voice friends helpful in everyday life".

What PlayAI actually has to offer Meta therefore remains unclear for now. There are a number of demo AI language agents on the start-up's website, but they cannot be tested at the moment. The demos are intended to represent specialized agents, for example in the fields of healthcare, real estate or gaming. If they work, you can ask them – about the topics or book appointments via –.

Securing AI talent – Meta's shopping spree

All the big tech companies are currently on a major buying spree and, as usual, are trying to take over start-ups and smaller companies to secure technology and talent. An approach that has long been common in Silicon Valley.

Meta is also currently recruiting numerous AI experts. Mark Zuckerberg himself is said to be courting them. There is talk of many millions of euros being offered to people willing to change jobs if they join Meta's new Superintelligence Labs team. It is headed by Alexandr Wang, former CEO of Scale AI, which was recently acquired by Meta – for well over 14 billion US dollars. Several former employees of OpenAI, Anthropic and Apple have already joined the team.

(emw)