Meta is actively pursuing talent to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) division, known as Superintelligence Labs. Recent reports indicate that the Menlo Park-based company has acquired WaveForms, a startup specializing in audio models. The financial details of this acquisition remain undisclosed, but it is believed that the co-founders have been integrated into Meta’s team. This acquisition follows closely on the heels of Meta’s purchase of Play AI, another company operating within the audio AI sector.
WaveForms Founded in December 2024
According to information from The Information, Meta has finalized its acquisition of WaveForms, a startup dedicated to researching and developing audio-focused large language models (LLMs). The company has a mission to tackle the Speech Turing Test and aims to create what it refers to as “Emotional General Intelligence,” as stated on its LinkedIn profile.
The Speech Turing Test serves as an updated version of the original Turing Test, designed to determine whether a listener can distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated speech. Successfully passing the test means the listener cannot confidently choose between the two options. This test is regarded as a significant milestone in assessing the capabilities of voice-based AI.
Founded in December 2024 in San Francisco, WaveForms was established by former Meta and OpenAI researcher Alexis Conneau and ex-Google advertising strategist Coralie Lemaitre. Despite being in operation for a brief period, the startup managed to secure $40 million in funding earlier this year through a round led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Reports suggest that both Conneau and Lemaitre will join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs following the acquisition. Meta may leverage WaveForms’ technology to enhance its own voice AI offerings. This acquisition ties in with Meta’s strategy, following its recent acquisition of Play AI, as the company seeks to strengthen its capabilities in the voice AI domain.
Meta’s focus on acquiring voice AI startups illustrates its ambition to bridge a noticeable gap in its AI capabilities. While efforts are underway to introduce real-time, two-way voice interactions with its chatbot, the company still trails behind competitors like OpenAI and Google, which have already rolled out advanced voice features in their respective products, ChatGPT and Gemini.
