Betting on AI Audio: Baichuan's Ex-Co-Founder Is Building AI Hosts

Jiao Ke, a former co-founder of Baichuan Intelligence, is making a bold bet on the future of audio content. His new project, Laifu Radio, is not just an AI podcast platform but an ambitious attempt to create AI hosts that can engage with users on an emotional level. Inspired by the film "Her," in which an AI's voice stirs deep feelings, Jiao Ke wants to recreate that experience with artificial intelligence.

The audio industry is contested territory. On one hand, tech giants such as Google are showing interest in AI audio and offering tools for generating podcasts. On the other, the Chinese audio market cannot yet boast impressive results. The popular podcast platform "Xiaoyuzhou" has a relatively small audience and trails far behind video platforms. Investors doubt audio's potential, pointing to its lower effectiveness compared with video.

Jiao Ke counters these arguments by stressing that people have a lot of "ear time" during the day: while commuting, working out, or doing chores. He believes existing audio offerings are not personalized enough and fail to meet users' individual needs. Audio is the most natural way to communicate and has a strong sense of presence. AI can unlock audio's full potential by solving content production problems and building an emotional connection with users.

Laifu Radio uses AI to understand user preferences and delivers personalized audio content. Users can interact with the AI hosts, ask questions and join discussions. Jiao Ke aims to build a prototype of Samantha from the film "Her." His vision caught the attention of investors such as Sequoia China, which made a quick decision to invest. The company has raised more than $10 million in two funding rounds.

Jiao Ke argues that the internet era solved the problem of communication efficiency, while the AI era solves the problem of productivity. So he is aiming to build not tools or platforms but "people": AI hosts that can generate unique content and interact with users. Laifu Radio currently has 15 AI hosts in Chinese and 2 in English, each with its own style and specialty. They remember listeners' preferences and create a sense of personal conversation.

In the future, AI audio may become the dominant way to consume information and entertainment. Imagine a personalized radio station that adapts to your interests and mood, offering relevant news, engaging stories and useful advice. AI hosts could become your friends, advisers and companions, always ready to keep the conversation going.

However, there are risks. AI hosts must be built ethically so that they do not spread disinformation or manipulate users. User privacy must also be protected and misuse of their data prevented. Despite these challenges, the future of AI audio looks promising. Laifu Radio is one of the pioneers of this new industry, and its success may change how we think about consuming content.