With PlayAI onboard, Meta strengthens voice generation for AR/VR, wearables, and Meta AI, furthering its race to lead next-gen conversational tech. Here’s what you need to know!
Meta is doubling down on its AI ambitions—this time, with a voice. In its latest move, the Facebook parent, Meta, has acquired PlayAI, a fast-rising startup known for its advanced, human-sounding AI-generated voices. While financial details of the deal remain under wraps, the implications are loud and clear: Meta wants to be at the forefront of conversational AI.
According to an internal memo, the entire PlayAI team will officially join Meta next week. The group will operate under the leadership of Johan Schalkwyk, a recent Meta hire from Sesame AI Inc., and now a key figure driving Meta’s voice technology division.
This acquisition couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. PlayAI’s deep expertise in natural voice creation and its easy-to-use voice generation platform plug right into Meta’s growing ecosystem—from AI Characters and Meta AI to wearables and immersive audio content.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed that this acquisition supports the company’s roadmap to enhance “human-like interactions” across its platforms, including AI avatars, AR/VR experiences, and smart devices.
The PlayAI move follows Meta’s recent launch of its Superintelligence Labs, headed by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, which underscores a pattern: Meta isn’t just building in-house AI—it’s curating a brain trust of the best minds in the industry.
While exact figures haven’t been disclosed, industry watchers view the acquisition as a signal of how critical voice will be in the next generation of Artificial Intelligence technology. Whether it’s guiding users through digital tasks or powering next-gen assistants that feel eerily human, Meta is positioning itself as a voice-first AI powerhouse.
The race for AI dominance is heating up, and with PlayAI now part of its arsenal, Meta just got a whole lot louder!
