Facebook parent company Meta is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire PlayAI, a small startup that specialises in AI-powered voice replication. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that Meta is expected to acquire PlayAI's technology and bring some of its employees on board. While the deal is not yet finalised and could still see changes, financial terms currently under discussion were not disclosed, the report added.
The potential acquisition of PlayAI would provide Meta with specialized expertise to enhance voice features within its AI assistant and hands-free devices, such as smartglasses—a key area of focus for Zuckerberg. Other major players in the AI space, including OpenAI and Google, have also been integrating advanced voice capabilities into their AI systems to build more compelling digital assistants.
PlayAI's stated goal, according to a company blog post, is to create AI-powered voice features as “responsive as a conversation between two people.”
Mark Zuckerberg paid $14 billion to acquire ScaleAI
Zuckerberg has declared AI the company's paramount priority for the year, as Meta vies with rivals like Google and OpenAI to develop AI features.
The report about the potential acquisition comes soon after Meta acquired data-labeling startup Scale AI, also recruiting Scale AI's CEO to join a newly formed “superintelligence” team spearheaded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Bloomberg also says that Zuckerberg has been poaching AI researchers from leading firms, including Google and OpenAI, to staff this new team. Recently, Meta reportedly hired three OpenAI researchers from the ChatGPT maker's Zurich office, a departure confirmed by OpenAI.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman even claimed that Meta is offering $100 million signing bonus for researchers.
It was previously reported that Meta held acquisition talks with Perplexity AI before finalising its Scale AI investment. Meta also reportedly discussed a potential takeover of AI video startup Runway AI, though those discussions did not lead to a formal offer, the report added.
The potential acquisition of PlayAI would provide Meta with specialized expertise to enhance voice features within its AI assistant and hands-free devices, such as smartglasses—a key area of focus for Zuckerberg. Other major players in the AI space, including OpenAI and Google, have also been integrating advanced voice capabilities into their AI systems to build more compelling digital assistants.
PlayAI's stated goal, according to a company blog post, is to create AI-powered voice features as “responsive as a conversation between two people.”
Mark Zuckerberg paid $14 billion to acquire ScaleAI
Zuckerberg has declared AI the company's paramount priority for the year, as Meta vies with rivals like Google and OpenAI to develop AI features.
The report about the potential acquisition comes soon after Meta acquired data-labeling startup Scale AI, also recruiting Scale AI's CEO to join a newly formed “superintelligence” team spearheaded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Bloomberg also says that Zuckerberg has been poaching AI researchers from leading firms, including Google and OpenAI, to staff this new team. Recently, Meta reportedly hired three OpenAI researchers from the ChatGPT maker's Zurich office, a departure confirmed by OpenAI.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman even claimed that Meta is offering $100 million signing bonus for researchers.
It was previously reported that Meta held acquisition talks with Perplexity AI before finalising its Scale AI investment. Meta also reportedly discussed a potential takeover of AI video startup Runway AI, though those discussions did not lead to a formal offer, the report added.
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