Google DeepMind has reportedly acquired key members of the founding team behind Hume AI, a startup specializing in emotionally intelligent voice technology, according to Wired. As part of a licensing agreement, CEO Alan Cowen and approximately seven senior engineers will join DeepMind to enhance the voice capabilities of Google’s Gemini AI assistant. The move marks another high-profile acquihire in the AI space, where major tech firms are increasingly targeting top talent without formally acquiring entire companies. This strategy allows firms to bypass some regulatory scrutiny while rapidly expanding their technical teams. Google has previously made similar moves, including bringing on the CEO and lead researchers from AI coding startup Windsurf last year. OpenAI has also acquired teams from startups like Covogo and Roi in recent months. While the financial terms of the Hume AI deal were not disclosed, the company will continue to supply its technology to other AI firms. Hume AI’s core innovation lies in its ability to detect and interpret human emotions and mood through voice analysis. In 2024, it launched the Empathetic Voice Interface, a conversational AI system designed to respond with emotional awareness—a capability that could significantly improve user experiences in customer service, mental health support, and personal assistants. Hume AI has raised nearly $80 million in funding to date, according to PitchBook, and is projected to generate $100 million in revenue this year, per Wired. The acquisition underscores the growing importance of voice as a central interface for AI, particularly in wearable and hands-free applications. Google has been actively advancing its voice AI capabilities, most recently enhancing its Gemini Live feature with a new native audio model that improves the system’s ability to manage complex, multi-step interactions. Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly developing a new audio-first personal device in collaboration with designer Jonny Ive’s company, io, expected to launch this year—potentially in the form of earbuds. Meta has also made strides in the voice space, acquiring Play AI last year and integrating advanced audio features into its Ray-Ban smart glasses. These devices now offer real-time conversation assistance in noisy environments and hands-free control for calls, messaging, music, and photos. Investors see voice as the future of wearable computing. “Voice is the only acceptable input mode for wearables,” said investor Vanessa Larco. “This acquisition will only accelerate the need for voice apps.” The demand for voice AI is surging. Earlier this month, ElevenLabs, a leading AI voice generation company, announced it had surpassed $330 million in annual recurring revenue, highlighting the commercial momentum behind voice-driven AI innovations.