Latest news with #VoiceAI
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Beyond The AI Race: Why Fundamentals Will Determine The Real Winners
Todd Fisher is the co-founder and CEO of CallTrackingMetrics. The AI race is on. Most companies are rushing to deploy some type of 'AI-powered' solution. Voice AI, in particular, is making a lot of noise. The global voice AI market was worth $5.4 billion in 2024, climbing by 25% from 2023. But who are the competitors? Players remain largely undifferentiated in the saturated voice AI landscape. Companies that rush out AI features will be a flash in the pan. Those executing their fundamental business principles can ultimately create sustainable competitive advantages and own the market. Build A Foundation For The Future Amid all the hype surrounding AI the past few years, it's become increasingly difficult to cut through the buzz to find actual value in the technology. AI is quickly becoming expected as infrastructure, not just a new and novel type of technology. Its proliferation means it's no longer a special selling point—rather, it's an expected, basic part of any software service that many companies aren't even charging extra for anymore. It's now just assumed to be included. By the end of this year, I expect that not having AI integrated into your services will be seen as a red flag because it's becoming such a baseline expectation rather than a competitive advantage. The smartest organizations are shifting their focus back to the fundamentals of their business while viewing AI as a supporting tool that extracts more value from their core business principles. This need to get back to basics is especially true in the voice AI space. With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless. The voice AI pool is so crowded that something huge would have to happen to make a splash in this environment, but major players like OpenAI and Anthropic are poised to make that splash. I predict these leaders in the space will develop connector protocols that allow users to choose their preferred AI vendor while accessing data from smaller, more specialized data source providers. This emerging model will allow users to conduct deep research by combining their chosen AI with relevant data services. This relevant data is going to be the key to future-proofed AI success—if your data foundation is strong, your AI will behave better and be more accurate. A Return To The Fundamentals Pursuing cutting-edge AI tech without defining clear objectives will often result in fragmented efforts that fail to deliver meaningful results. Plug-and-play solutions will no longer be enough to stand out in the crowded voice AI arena. For organizations that want to take their AI product to the next level, they must focus on their business fundamentals, which means identifying and solving customer pain points. This focused strategy helps ensure that AI is addressing genuine business needs and producing meaningful results. New tech benefits can excite and entice, but the kicker is whether or not they solve actual problems. Making customers' lives easier will generate more long-term loyalty than flashy features with limited benefits. Ultimately, mastering your organization's essential capabilities remains the key to winning the AI race and achieving sustainable competitive advantage and long-term growth. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Read the exclusive pitch deck AI infrastructure startup Cerebrium used to nab $8.5 million from Gradient Ventures
Cerebium has raised an $8.5 million seed round led by Gradient Ventures. The startup helps engineers build and scale multimodal AI apps, from voice AI to digital avatars. It's already driving millions in ARR with clients like Tavus and Deepgram, its cofounder told BI. AI infrastructure platform Cerebrium has raised an $8.5 million seed round led by Gradient Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator and Authentic Ventures. Cerebrium, cofounded in Cape Town by CEO Michael Louis and CTO Jonathan Irwin and headquartered in New York, is a platform used by its customers' engineering teams to build and scale multimodal AI applications — which can process different types of data, including text, images, and audio. Cerebrium works across three main categories, Louis said: Voice AI, real-time digital avatars, and healthcare. Cerebrium provides the infrastructure building blocks behind the scenes — such as model inference and training, and data processing — allowing engineers to focus on their core product and workflows, Louis told BI. It also helps customers to deploy their applications in different regions. "We believe specialized infrastructure, which scales elastically, will be essential as real-time AI becomes core to customer experiences," Gradient partner Eylul Kayin said in a statement. Louis formerly founded the e-commerce startup OneCart, which was acquired by Walmart-owned Massmart in 2021. The idea for Cerebrium came as the team struggled to build machine learning at the on-demand grocery delivery company, Louis said. Cerebrium offers serverless CPU and GPU infrastructure that spins up and down quickly, making it ideal for volatile workloads and cost-effective for clients, Louis said. "What that means is you only get charged for that exact time that it was basically running for," he said. The company currently counts only four engineers and is generating millions in annual recurring revenue. It counts among its clients AI-generated video purveyor Tavus and voice AI companies Deepgram and Vapi. The company will use funds to hire more engineers to meet enterprise demand and introduce new features, Louis the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) Partners with Synervoz for Voice AI and B2B Growth
Synervoz's Switchboard platform boosts voice and audio development cycles by 10x Collaboration targets 70+ B2B opportunities across industries like automotive and retail LOS ANGELES, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO), an award-winning, creator-first music, entertainment, and technology platform, today announced a strategic partnership with Synervoz Communications, Inc. to co-create new products and experiences that power the next wave of voice in native devices and operating systems. LiveOne and Synervoz will also work together to meet the demands of LiveOne's growing pipeline of B2B initiatives. 'Working with Synervoz opens up powerful new ways for users to engage with audio,' said Rob Ellin, CEO and Chairman of LiveOne. 'From voice search to social listening and shared podcast experiences, we're making audio more interactive and connected. This collaboration also allows us to scale faster and more efficiently–integrating engineering efforts to support our growing B2B pipeline and shape the future of audio.' Jim Rand, CEO and Co-Founder of Synervoz, added, 'Entertainment is evolving and Voice AI is the interface of the future – we couldn't be more excited to work with LiveOne to unlock new ways to find and interact with music, podcasts, and live content; and to create new ways to experience it together with others.' About LiveOneHeadquartered in Los Angeles, CA, LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) is an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform focused on delivering premium experiences and content worldwide through memberships and live and virtual events. LiveOne's subsidiaries include Slacker, PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), PPVOne, CPS, LiveXLive, DayOne Music Publishing, Drumify and Splitmind. LiveOne is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Spotify, Samsung, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and through STIRR's OTT applications. For more information, visit and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X at @liveone. For more investor information, please visit About SynervozSynervoz provides audio software solutions to the gaming, media & entertainment, and consumer electronics sectors. Their Switchboard platform includes a vast library of audio and voice AI tools enabling developers to build new products and features on any platform in a fraction of the time. Switchboard combines the performance of a C++ audio engine with JSON-based audio graphs, offering unmatched flexibility for both no-code and advanced developers, while providing unparalleled on-device audio processing capabilities. Headquartered in Toronto and backed by Lowercase Capital, Slack, and Techstars, the team comprises experts in real time audio programming in C++, digital signal processing (DSP), and AI implementations across platforms and languages spanning mobile, web, desktop, game consoles, smart TVs, embedded/wearable technologies, and developer tools. Forward-Looking StatementsAll statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are 'forward-looking statements,' which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as 'may,' 'might,' 'will,' 'will likely result,' 'would,' 'should,' 'estimate,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'forecast,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'seek,' 'continue,' 'target' or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: LiveOne's reliance on its largest OEM customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; LiveOne's ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, special dividend, merger, distribution or transaction, the timing of the consummation of any such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to the consummation of any such event would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the consummation of any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, merger, special dividend, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; LiveOne's ability to continue as a going concern; LiveOne's ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its users and paid members; LiveOne identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; LiveOne's intent to repurchase shares of its and/or PodcastOne's common stock from time to time under LiveOne's announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; LiveOne's ability to maintain compliance with certain financial and other debt covenants; LiveOne successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management's relationships with industry stakeholders; LiveOne's ability to repay its indebtedness when due; LiveOne's ability to satisfy the conditions for closing on its announced additional convertible debentures financing; uncertain and unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings and/or LiveOne's ability to pay any amounts due in connection with any such legal proceedings; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of LiveOne's subsidiaries; ; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in LiveOne's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') on July 1, 2024, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, filed with SEC on February 14, 2025, and in LiveOne's other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and LiveOne disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as may be required by law. LiveOne intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. LiveOne Press Contact: press@ Follow LiveOne on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X at @ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alltius introduces voice AI agent platform for financial institutions
Alltius has unveiled a Voice AI platform custom designed for financial sector organisations. The company noted that its new system allows insurance providers, high-street banks, and investment management companies to streamline intricate customer engagements. It ensures regulatory compliance and integrates effortlessly with current infrastructure. In contrast to standard AI tools or conventional IVR systems, Alltius Voice AI agents perform account-specific tasks autonomously. They handle insurance claims, sanction loans, and provide investment portfolio updates without human involvement. The platform maintains natural dialogue and emotional sensitivity. This solution redefines customer interaction management for financial institutions. Insurers can automate initial loss notifications, routine claim handling, and policy queries, slashing per-interaction costs from $200 to $1. High-street banks can process loan requests and account queries, reducing routine inquiries by up to 80%. Investment firms can leverage Alltius for automated client reports and market analysis. This enables advisors to concentrate on premium advisory services. The platform also offers tailored financial education to clients. Alltius said that its Voice AI stands out with its financial sector expertise and direct system operations. It incorporates empathetic intelligence, swift implementation, and cost efficiency. The platform guarantees stringent security with SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA compliance. Alltius CEO Vibhanshu Abhishek said: "Financial institutions have struggled with a fundamental challenge: how to scale operations while reducing costs and improving experiences. 'Traditional approaches force an impossible choice between personalization and efficiency. Our Voice AI agents eliminate this trade-off by combining deep financial knowledge with the ability to take direct action on customer accounts.' "Alltius introduces voice AI agent platform for financial institutions" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
24-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
ElevenLabs releases a standalone voice generation app
Voice AI company ElevenLabs just released a standalone mobile app for iOS and Android users to generate voice clips from text. Until now, if you had to generate samples using ElevenLabs' AI-powered voice libraries, you had to rely on its web app. Now, you can use its mobile app to generate clips on the go. To use the app, you simply type or paste in the text, then select a suitable voice to generate an audio clip. The free plan gives users access to roughly 10 minutes of audio generation. You can choose different models to balance cost and quality, and you'll have a shared credit limit between the web and mobile app. ElevenLabs also said that the app has access to v3 alpha, its newest text-to-speech models, which allow users to control expressions with tags. Jack McDermott, the company's mobile growth lead, told TechCrunch that a lot of creators already use a web browser on mobile to create voice samples to use in videos with other apps like CapCut, Instagram, or Inshot. Seeing this demand, the company wanted to build a native experience. 'Over the past year, we've seen an explosion of creativity from our community — content creators, marketers, educators, voice artists, and professionals using ElevenLabs to bring projects to life. Many have accessed ElevenLabs from mobile web browsers and asked for a faster, intuitive, more powerful experience built natively for mobile,' he said, in an email message. The company will also compete with other voice cloning and generation tools like Speechify and Captions. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW This is ElevenLabs' second consumer-facing app after it released the Reader app last year to let users listen to articles, blogs, PDFs, and eBooks on the go. Earlier this year, it also opened up the Reader app for publishers to distribute audiobooks. Going forward, the company aims to release other new features like speech-to-text, a conversational AI agent tool, and add MCP-powered experiences like to the app.
