WaveForms AI raises $40M in seed funding to create more empathetic AI voices

WaveForms AI, a startup focused on developing empathetic AI voices, has raised $40 million in seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz, valuing the company at $200 million. Founded by former OpenAI researcher Alexi Conneau, the company aims to create AI interactions that are more natural and emotionally intelligent by developing audio-based large language models. These models will enable AI systems to understand and respond to emotional cues, potentially transforming consumer expectations and increasing demand for more human-like AI applications.

Conneau, inspired by the movie "Her," envisions AI that can interpret emotional subtleties in human voices and respond appropriately, enhancing the quality of human-computer interactions. WaveForms AI plans to release a consumer software product focused on emotional connections between users and AI, although specific details are not yet disclosed. Conneau's previous work at OpenAI included developing voice capabilities for ChatGPT, which sparked controversy due to similarities with actress Scarlett Johansson's voice.

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WaveForms AI has raised $40 million in seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz, valuing the company at $200 million.
The startup focuses on creating AI voices that can understand and respond to emotional cues, aiming for more natural and empathetic human-AI interactions.
WaveForms AI's technology is inspired by the movie 'Her' and aims to enhance AI's ability to interpret emotional subtleties in human conversations.
The company plans to release a consumer software product focused on emotional connections between users and AI systems.

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WaveForms AI raises $40M in seed funding to create more empathetic AI voices - SiliconANGLE

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