Computerized clairvoyance: psychics push back against AI-generated readings Human practitioners warn computer-generated offerings lack the empathy and connection central to divination The Guardian - US · Oct 29
In a first, AI helps UK lawmaker find her voice in parliament A British lawmaker made history on Tuesday by becoming the first person to use an AI-generated voice to deliver a speech in the UK parliament. During a debate about health on Tuesday, AI software was used to recreate the sound of her voice, as it used to be, to read… The Economic Times · Oct 13
Royal Mail admits using AI voiceover after daughter of BBC star ‘hears dead father’s voice’ in Christmas advert AI companies behind the voiceover denied using a direct clone of Paul Vaughan’s distinctive voice, but declined to comment when asked if AI could have been trained on his work The Independent UK · Oct 9
ElevenLabs CEO on AI slowdown; Prosus dials up fintech bets Happy Wednesday! ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski weighs in on the AI slowdown debate. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch. The Economic Times · Oct 7
ElevenLabs' valuation doubles to $22 billion on surging AI voice-agent demand ElevenLabs said on Wednesday it had completed a $300 million employee tender offer valuing the AI voice generation startup at $22 billion, twice the valuation it secured in its February funding round. The tender was led by Wellington and T. The Economic Times · Sep 30
Employers want your Slack DMs to be public so AI can learn from them One company even turned public messaging into a friendly competition among executives The Independent UK · Aug 25
Lawyers square off in fight over voice data used to train AI Ross Kimbarovsky of Loevy & Loevy is representing the plaintiffs - a group of journalists, podcasters and audiobook narrators - in the proposed class action lawsuits. He said each of the defendants faces hundreds of millions of dollars in potential damages. The Economic Times · Aug 21
Speechify's Simba 3.2 Reaches No. 1 on Global AI Voice Leaderboard Speechify, the company behind the consumer products used by more than 60 million people, is now positioning its developer arm, SpeechifyAI, as a third path built for scale rather than the benchmark leaderboard alone. International Business Times · Jul 14
5 AI Tools You'll Wish You Started Using Sooner AI has quietly become one of the biggest productivity upgrades of the decade. From generating presentations in minutes to organizing messy notes and creating stunning visuals, the latest AI tools are making everyday work faster and less stressful. The best part is that many of these platforms are beginner-friendly and… MyLifeXP · Jul 12
'Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it:' Netflix is using an AI-generated Gene Wilder voice for 'Wonka' reality show Netflix's Wonka reality show will feature an AI recreation of Gene Wilder's voice, built by ElevenLabs with estate approval. Not everyone is on board. Tom’s Guide · Jul 1
One of the world’s oldest stories just got an AI makeover, with the voice of an Oscar-winning actor Homer's epic 'Odyssey' has been reimagined as a 13-hour audiobook, narrated by an AI-generated voice clone of Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine. This innovative use of artificial intelligence in storytelling, while praised by some for blending creativity with technology, sparks debate in Hollywood. Many actors are pushing back, advocating for 'human… The Economic Times · Jun 25
You’re only supposed to blow the bloody hooves off: AI Michael Caine narrates Odyssey audiobook AI company ElevenLabs unveils its officially licensed replica of the iconic actor’s voice in a retelling of Homer’s epic poem, while director who previously recorded the star recalls real-life experience The Guardian - UK · Jun 23
Voice AI startup ElevenLabs appoints Alexander Holt its field CTO Voice AI firm ElevenLabs has appointed Alexander Holt as its Field CTO, a move aimed at accelerating AI integration for enterprise clients globally. Holt, who joined in 2023, has been instrumental in deploying advanced AI solutions for major corporations and governments. This strategic appointment follows significant funding rounds, positioning ElevenLabs… The Economic Times · Jun 8
The Economic Times · Jun 4 Peak XV in talks to back Ringg AI as voice AI gains attention: Sources Peak XV Partners is reportedly leading a $10 million funding round for Bengaluru-based voice AI startup Ringg AI, highlighting investor enthusiasm for the technology. This move underscores the growing recognition of voice AI beyond call centers, with investors now segmenting the market into various applications. The trend signals a significant…
The Conversation · Jun 2 From cloning romance authors to YouTube piracy, AI is transforming audiobooks News on AI and audiobooks is coming thick and fast. Australia-based audiobook producer Bolinda recently announced it will create a “bespoke” AI clone of romance bestseller Barbara Cartland’s voice, in partnership with her estate. (She died in 2000.)
The Economic Times · May 27 Peak XV, Activate in talks to invest in Silicon Valley AI dictation startup Wispr Flow Founded by Stanford graduates Tanay Kothari and Sahaj Garg, Wispr Flow develops a voice dictation tool that allows users to speak into apps and workflows instead of typing. The latest funding is likely to nearly triple its valuation to $2 billion, per people in the know.
The Economic Times · May 14 Ex-Peak XV trio raises Mettle; Fintechs go licence hunting Happy Thursday! Three former Peak XV MDs, who abruptly left the VC firm, are launching Mettle Capital to back Indian startups. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
The Economic Times · May 14 Activate picks stake in ElevenLabs in first global growth-stage AI bet Venture capital firm Activate has made its first global growth-stage AI investment in ElevenLabs. This New York-based voice AI company considers India a key market. Activate will partner with ElevenLabs in India to strengthen enterprise relationships and offer early-stage Indian startups access to its voice infrastructure. ElevenLabs is experiencing rapid…
International Business Times UK · May 13 21-Year-Old Texas Student Builds AI OnlyFans Model Using $400 MacBook — Earns $43,000 in a Month A 21-year-old student allegedly created an AI-generated OnlyFans persona, earning $43,000 in a month. Explore the viral story's impact on digital deception, AI technology, and online fraud.
Tom’s Guide · Mar 24 I couldn't stand ChatGPT’s voice — so I made a better one that I can play back any time After weeks of ChatGPT's robotic tone giving me a headache, I finally found a way to make it sound indistinguishable from a real person. Here is the exact setup I used.
BANG Premier · Mar 18 Family of Eric Dane 'saddened' by Oscars In Memoriam snub The family of late Grey's Anatomy actor Eric Dane were "saddened" the star wasn't featured in the Oscars In Memoriam segment, but they understood the situation.
BANG Premier · Mar 17 Eric Dane to be remembered with public memorial Eric Dane will be honoured with a public memorial following his death last month, though the details have yet to be announced.
BANG Premier · Mar 15 Eric Dane’s ex-girlfriend still 'processing' his death Eric Dane’s ex-girlfriend is still “processing” his “awful” death last month following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
TechRadar · Mar 14 Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey have licensed their voices to AI — but not every ‘iconic’ voice on the platform can consent ElevenLabs is turning celebrity voices into licensed products — but the real cost goes far beyond your audiobook.