Google DeepMind has acquired the CEO and several top engineers from voice AI startup Hume AI under a new licensing agreement, as reported by Wired. CEO Alan Cowen and about seven engineers will join DeepMind to enhance the voice capabilities of its Gemini AI platform. Hume AI will continue providing its technology to other AI firms, though financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Hume AI’s technology is designed to understand user emotions and moods through voice. The company launched its Empathetic Voice Interface in 2024 and has raised nearly $80 million to date, expecting $100 million in revenue this year. The acquisition underscores a broader industry trend of major AI firms acquiring startup teams rather than entire companies, a strategy now attracting Federal Trade Commission attention.
Voice is emerging as a key frontier in AI, with competitors including OpenAI, Meta, and ElevenLabs investing heavily in audio models for conversational AI, wearable devices, and hands-free interactions. The Hume team will help DeepMind accelerate its work in this growing market.
