Ex-openai Researcher Is Turning His Sci-Fi Obsession Into Reality but Without the Dystopia

The sci-fi drama “Her” captivated audiences with its futuristic vision of AI-human relationships, painting a vivid, and unsettling, picture of our potential future with artificial intelligence. Alexis Conneau, a former OpenAI researcher and the founder of WaveForms AI, is inspired by that vision, though his goal is to avoid its dystopian pitfalls.

Conneau’s journey from developing ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode at OpenAI to founding his own AI audio startup has been fueled by a desire to make human-AI interaction more meaningful, emotionally intelligent, and, most importantly, beneficial.

The Mission to Humanize AI

Conneau’s fascination with “Her” is evident, his Twitter banner features Joaquin Phoenix’s character from the film. But where the movie showed a cautionary tale of people forming deep emotional dependencies on AI, Conneau envisions a different future.

“We want to bring that technology for good,” he shared in a recent interview. “The movie is a dystopia; it’s not the future we want.”

After his success at OpenAI, where he developed the transformative Advanced Voice Mode, Conneau launched WaveForms AI to push the boundaries of what audio AI can do. His new venture promises to create emotionally intelligent AI tools that enhance, rather than replace, human interactions.

The High-Level Technology Behind WaveForms AI

WaveForms AI is developing advanced audio-specific transformer models that promise seamless, natural-sounding interactions. Unlike traditional AI voice systems, which rely on text-based processing, WaveForms’ technology directly processes audio tokens, dramatically reducing latency and improving conversational quality.

Here’s how it works:

• Traditional Method: Voice is converted to text, processed, and converted back to speech.
• WaveForms Method: Audio is tokenized and run through a specialized transformer, maintaining the richness of the speaker’s voice.

This innovation aims to make interactions with AI feel more like a conversation with a friend, bridging the gap between humans and machines.

Why AI Audio Matters Now 

In recent years, AI companionship platforms like Character.AI have demonstrated the demand for conversational AI. Millions of users engage with these systems, not just to complete tasks but for genuine connection.

While some platforms have leaned into creating intimate, even addictive, relationships with AI, Conneau takes a more measured approach. He believes AI should complement human connections rather than replace them.

“AI can be the teacher you never had or the mentor who inspires you,” he says. “But it should never take the place of real human interaction.”

Backed by Industry Heavyweights

WaveForms AI recently raised $40 million in seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms. Marc Andreessen, a firm advocate for integrating AI into every facet of life, has personally supported Conneau’s vision.

The funding will accelerate the development of foundational models and bring WaveForms’ first products to market in 2025, where they will compete with offerings from tech giants like OpenAI and Google.

Responsible AI Use

The AI industry has faced criticism for fostering unhealthy behaviors, such as doomscrolling or over-reliance on technology. Conneau is determined to avoid these pitfalls by prioritizing ethical design and user well-being.

For instance, WaveForms AI rejects metrics like “time spent on platform,” which incentivize addictive behaviors. Instead, the company focuses on creating tools that enrich lives, whether by providing educational resources, facilitating creative expression, or offering emotional support.

“We need to align AI with human interests,” Conneau emphasizes. “This is the most important work we can do.”

The Future of Talking AI

WaveForms AI envisions a world where talking to AI becomes as commonplace as typing on a keyboard. Potential applications range from interactive learning tools to conversational interfaces for smart devices like cars and computers.

Conneau is particularly excited about the emotional intelligence aspect of WaveForms’ technology. By analyzing vocal patterns, the AI can mimic human intonation and respond in ways that feel genuinely empathetic. However, he’s quick to clarify that this doesn’t mean AI truly “understands” emotions; it’s simply trained to recognize and replicate them based on patterns.

The Risks and Rewards of Emotional AI

Emotional AI has immense potential but also significant risks. Some companies may view emotional connections with AI as a business success, but this raises ethical questions about dependency and human relationships.

As Andreessen Horowitz’s Martin Casado notes, the alternatives are not always better. “A random person on the internet can bully you or take advantage of you. Talking to an AI might actually be preferable,” he says.

WaveForms must navigate this delicate balance, ensuring its technology enhances lives without undermining societal values.

What Lays Ahead for WaveForms AI?

With its first products slated for release in 2025, WaveForms AI is poised to redefine human-AI interaction. Its focus on creating smaller, faster, and emotionally intelligent models could set a new standard for conversational AI.

While challenges remain, Conneau’s vision for a more humane and responsible AI future offers a hopeful counterpoint to the dystopian narratives of films like “Her”. For now, he’s committed to making AI a tool that uplifts and connects, rather than isolates.

As he puts it: “When you talk to AI, you should feel inspired, not alone.”