The Voice of the Future: how Ai and Start-ups Are Redefining Business Communication

Thanks to rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) applied to voice technology, this futuristic vision is now a reality that is transforming the way businesses communicate with their customers and optimize their operations.

Sesame

At the heart of this digital revolution are innovative start-ups that are taking artificial voice to levels never seen before. One of the most prominent is Sesame, founded by Brendan Iribe, a well-known name in the tech world for his key role in the development of Oculus, the company that revolutionized virtual reality before being acquired by Meta. Sesame has brought to life Maya, a voice assistant that goes far beyond basic “yes” or “no” interactions. Maya not only understands complex commands, but also analyzes the user’s emotional context—such as tone of voice or pauses—to tailor her responses. Imagine asking her for a report while you’re stressed, and Maya, instead of just processing data, offers you a reassuring tone or even suggests prioritizing tasks. It’s like having a d****igital colleague who knows you as well as your best friend after a morning coffee. Try it here: Talk to Maya.

Elevenlabs1644

Another rising star is ElevenLabs, a company that is redefining the concept of synthetic voice. Their technology allows you to generate narratives so realistic that it is almost impossible to tell if they come from a human or a machine. With a recent valuation exceeding $3 billion, ElevenLabs offers solutions such as voice cloning, where you can create a perfect digital replica of your own voice—or even a celebrity’s, if you have permission—to use in podcasts, audiobooks, or multilingual advertising campaigns. For businesses, this opens up a wide range of possibilities: from virtual assistants who “speak” with the voice of the brand to immersive experiences in video games and personalized educational content that sounds authentic and approachable.