Google Snags Top Team from AI Voice Startup Hume AI

Google DeepMind is bringing in some serious talent from the AI voice world. The company has acquired the CEO and several key engineers from Hume AI, a startup known for its emotionally intelligent voice technology, under a new licensing agreement.

According to Wired, CEO Alan Cowen and about seven other engineers will join DeepMind to enhance the voice capabilities of its Gemini AI.

Hume AI itself isn’t disappearing. The startup will continue supplying its technology to other AI companies. Financial details weren’t disclosed, but Andrew Ettinger, a tech executive who recently took over as Hume AI’s CEO, told TechCrunch that Google now has a “non-exclusive right to certain technologies, and we’ll be infusing that into their processes.” He also noted that Hume AI plans to release new models soon and is on track to generate $100 million in revenue this year.

This move is part of a growing trend in the AI industry, where big players hire entire startup teams—sometimes called “acqui-hires”—rather than acquiring companies outright, a strategy that can bypass regulatory scrutiny. Google previously brought in the CEO and researchers from AI coding startup Windsurf, while OpenAI has acquired teams from Convogo and Roi. The Federal Trade Commission has signaled it will take a closer look at such deals.

Voice AI is clearly becoming a hot frontier. Hume AI has distinguished itself with models that can interpret a user’s emotions and mood from their voice. Its 2024 launch of the Empathetic Voice Interface introduced a conversational AI with emotional intelligence. To date, Hume AI has raised nearly $80 million, according to PitchBook.

Google isn’t the only company investing heavily in voice. Its Gemini Live feature now allows more natural conversations, and a new native audio model released last month improves the AI’s ability to handle complex tasks. OpenAI is reportedly overhauling its audio models ahead of a planned audio-first personal device, possibly earbuds, developed with Jonny Ive’s studio, io. Meta has also pushed into voice AI, acquiring Play AI to enhance features like voice control for its Ray-Ban smart glasses.

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

Demand for voice capabilities is growing fast. ElevenLabs, the AI voice generation startup, recently reported surpassing $330 million in annual recurring revenue.

This story has been updated with comments from Hume AI and clarification on Google’s licensing deal.