Meta acquires voice cloning startup Play AI to strengthen speech capabilities

Meta has acquired California-based voice AI startup Play AI, in a move aimed at bolstering its capabilities in generative voice technology, according to a new report by Bloomberg. The deal sees the entire Play AI team joining Meta next week, where they will begin working under Johan Schalkwyk, a former senior speech AI leader at Google and a recent Meta recruit.

Play AI is best known for its advanced voice cloning tool, which allows users to replicate their own voices or generate new human-like voices. These can be deployed across digital platforms, including websites, mobile apps, and phones, a functionality that aligns closely with Meta’s growing ambitions in AI-driven interaction.