Investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath believes that voice AI could become the next major interface shaping how people interact with technology, and that India must actively participate in building this future instead of relying entirely on global platforms.
In a recent episode of the podcast People by WTF, Kamath spoke with Mati Staniszewski, the CEO and co-founder of voice AI company ElevenLabs. Their discussion explored the evolving role of voice technology, the potential of AI-driven hardware, and the growing importance of technological sovereignty for countries like India.
Voice Could Become the Next Major Tech Interface
During the conversation, Kamath highlighted how voice technology could transform the way people communicate with devices, access knowledge, and interact with each other. He suggested that if voice AI achieves real-time translation and natural communication without delays, it could significantly expand who gets access to digital tools.
According to Kamath, voice-based systems could make advanced knowledge and services accessible to people beyond English-speaking or tech-savvy communities.
Hardware Still the Missing Piece
Staniszewski explained that the core technology for voice AI is improving rapidly, but hardware remains the biggest challenge. Devices such as earbuds, pendants, smart glasses, or ambient assistants could eventually become the natural interface for voice-driven technology.
He noted that for voice AI to feel truly human, three elements are essential: high-quality speech models, seamless knowledge integration, and the right hardware form factor.
Growing Adoption of Voice AI
ElevenLabs already powers voice technology for companies such as Meesho, MasterClass, and TVS Motor Company.
The technology has also been used to dub an interview between AI researcher Lex Fridman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kamath Raises Concerns Over Global Tech Control
A key part of the discussion focused on control of digital platforms and algorithms. Kamath expressed concern about how global technology companies influence public discourse and user behavior across countries.
He argued that relying entirely on foreign-owned platforms could become risky in a world shaped by geopolitical tensions. Kamath urged Indian entrepreneurs to diversify technology dependencies and explore open-source infrastructure wherever possible.
Investment in AI Hardware
Kamath also revealed that he is an investor in Nothing, the London-based consumer tech brand led by Carl Pei. He believes that AI-native hardware products could play a key role in bringing voice technology to emerging markets like India.
Plans for an India-Focused Social Platform
Another interesting insight from the conversation was Kamath’s idea of building a social platform designed specifically for India. Instead of replicating the “super app” model seen in China, Kamath suggested creating a space focused on verified users, meaningful discussion, and curiosity-driven engagement.
According to him, digital platforms can be designed to reward thoughtful debate and curiosity rather than outrage or conflict.
A Possible Collaboration Ahead
Toward the end of the discussion, Staniszewski suggested the possibility of collaboration between ElevenLabs and Kamath’s ecosystem, combining voice infrastructure with community-driven platforms built for India. While no formal partnership was announced, both indicated that the opportunity in AI-driven social experiences remains largely unexplored.
The Bigger Opportunity
Kamath believes that voice AI could help reduce the gap between decision-makers and ordinary citizens by making knowledge more accessible through personalised and multilingual voice systems.
With India’s large population, linguistic diversity, and growing startup ecosystem, he suggested that the country has a strong opportunity to build its own voice-first technology platforms rather than relying entirely on global systems.
The full conversation is available on YouTube through the People by WTF podcast.
-By Shivani Solanki
