Deep Read: The next billion-dollar bet by AI companies is called language
Hotlines were just the beginning: AI translates, speaks and synchronizes. Not just OpenAI and Google believe that speaking is the new typing - a European player also benefits from this.
The entrance area of Eleven Labs' London office is flanked by a jukebox, while a red British telephone booth sits nestled between desks. Those who might assume it's merely nostalgic decor are mistaken; music generated by AI emanates from the box. In a booth, prospective clients can test Eleven Labs' AI voices. The company's technology goes beyond answering customer service calls; it reads texts aloud, creates voices, translates conversations, and synchronizes videos.
Companies anticipate significant efficiency gains, improved customer contact, new products, and substantially reduced costs. According to exclusive Pitchbook data for the Handelsblatt, venture capitalists worldwide have invested over $20 billion in Voice AI companies since the beginning of the year. Investments in OpenAI are not included.
The bet of AI companies is that people find speaking more natural than typing their thoughts into a chat window. But can language replace text as the primary digital interface? And which European providers can benefit from the growing market?
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
