Meta has acquired WaveForms, an AI startup specialising in audio-based large language models, to enhance its Superintelligence Labs. WaveForms, founded in December 2024 by Alexis Conneau and Coralie Lemaitre, focuses on AI that can detect and replicate emotion in audio. The company aims to solve the Speech Turing Test and develop Emotional General Intelligence.
WaveForms had previously raised $40 million in funding led by Andreessen Horowitz, valuing the company at $160 million pre-money. Conneau and Lemaitre will join Meta's Superintelligence Labs, contributing to the development of more human-like and emotionally responsive audio systems. This acquisition follows Meta's recent purchase of Play AI, signalling a strategic move to strengthen its capabilities in AI-powered audio and close the gap with competitors like OpenAI and Google.
Meta's increasing investment in AI voice technology includes the hiring of Johan Schalkwyk, a former Google Fellow, as Voice Lead. These acquisitions and hires demonstrate Meta's commitment to advancing its AI technologies and competing in the evolving AI landscape.
