Google is said to have acquired the team responsible for the AI voice startup Hume AI

Google DeepMind Brings On Hume AI Leadership in Strategic Talent Move

Google DeepMind has recruited the CEO and a group of top engineers from Hume AI, a startup specializing in voice artificial intelligence, following a new licensing arrangement. Wired reports that this move will see key Hume AI personnel joining DeepMind’s efforts.

Hume AI will continue to offer its technology to other companies in the AI sector, though the financial terms of the agreement have not been made public.

TechCrunch has contacted both Google and Hume AI for further confirmation regarding this development.

According to Wired, Alan Cowen, Hume AI’s CEO, along with approximately seven engineers, will now contribute to enhancing the voice capabilities of DeepMind’s Gemini project.

Acquihires: A Growing Trend in AI

This acquisition of talent from Hume AI is part of a broader pattern in the AI industry, where leading companies secure top minds by hiring startup teams rather than purchasing entire companies—often avoiding regulatory hurdles. Last year, Google brought on the CEO and researchers from Windsurf, a well-known AI coding startup, while OpenAI has recently absorbed teams from startups such as Covogo and Roi. The Federal Trade Commission has announced increased scrutiny of these types of deals.

Voice Technology: The Next Big Leap in AI

This latest deal highlights the growing importance of voice interfaces in artificial intelligence. Hume AI stands out for its technology that can interpret a user’s emotional state and mood through vocal cues. In 2024, the company introduced its Empathetic Voice Interface, a conversational AI designed to recognize and respond to emotions. According to PitchBook, Hume AI has raised nearly $80 million in funding and, as reported by Wired, is on track to generate $100 million in revenue this year.

Industry-Wide Race for Voice AI

Hume AI is not alone in advancing voice-driven AI. Google continues to enhance its Gemini Live feature, enabling more natural conversations with its chatbot. The company recently rolled out a new audio model for the Live API, which improves the system’s ability to manage complex tasks.

Other major players are also investing heavily in voice technologies. OpenAI is reportedly revamping its audio models in anticipation of launching an audio-first personal device, developed in collaboration with Jonny Ive’s io, which may take the form of earbuds, according to recent leaks.

Meta has also accelerated its efforts in AI audio, acquiring Play AI last year. The company’s Ray-Ban smart glasses increasingly rely on voice and audio features, enabling users to better hear conversations in noisy environments and to control calls, messages, music, and photos hands-free.

“Voice is the only acceptable input mode for wearables,” investor Vanessa Larco told TechCrunch. “This acquisition will only accelerate the need for voice apps.”

Rising Demand for Voice AI

The appetite for voice-enabled technology continues to grow. Earlier this month, ElevenLabs, a company specializing in AI-generated voices, announced it had surpassed $330 million in annual recurring revenue.

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