Meta in talks to acquire voice cloning startup PlayAl: Report

Meta is in advanced talks to acquire voice cloning startup PlayAl as the social media giant maintains focus on acquiring top AI talent, according to a Bloomberg report.

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PlayAl, a Palo Alto, California-based startup, uses artificial intelligence to replicate voices. Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is expected to acquire the startup and onboard some of its employees, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal has not been finalised yet, and the details could still change. The financial details of the deal were yet unknown.

Zuckerberg has made AI Meta's top priority, acquiring companies and talent to come on top of the intensifying competition. The company recently invested $14.3 billion in data labelling startup Scale AI earlier this month, valuing the company at $29 billion.

As part of the deal, Scale AI's CEO and cofounder Alexandr Wang has joined Meta's new AI 'superintelligence' team working on artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is AI that can surpass human capabilities. Wang is known for his connections in the policy corridors, while Scale AI has been working with Meta's top AI rivals, including OpenAl, Microsoft and Google.

Meanwhile, Lucas Beyer, one of the three senior researchers who recently left OpenAl for Meta, confirmed his new role at the social media giant. He, however, dismissed claims that the trio was offered a $100 million sign-on bonus.

Beyer was part of OpenAl's Zurich office along with researchers Alexander Kolesnikov and Xiaohua Zhai. The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that the three had been poached by Meta to join its 'superintelligence' team.

Earlier this week, OpenAl chief Sam Altman criticised Meta's approach to hiring, suggesting that the company was offering massive packages to lure away top talent because it lacked in innovation. The Facebook and Instagram parent has denied these claims.

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