Voice AI Research

Week 2026-W28
3announcements

Gradium@GradiumAI 2 in corpus · first 2026-07-09

2026-07-09 · 2026-W28 · model · other · Gradium

Gradium (Kyutai spinout) reopens seed to ~$100M with Nvidia

Gradium reopened its seed to about $100M total, with Nvidia among new backers, and announced a Bay Area office expansion.

About $100M, Nvidia in, still no model drop. Renault is the named customer. Original stealth round was about $70M in Dec 2025.

Cresta@cresta 1 in corpus · first 2026-07-09

2026-07-09 · 2026-W28 · platform · launch · Training Simulator

Cresta Training Simulator: AI customers for human-agent practice

Cresta launched Training Simulator: AI-simulated customers built from a company’s real conversations, so human agents practice live and are graded with the same QA criteria as production calls.

Voice AI here is charged as training infrastructure for humans, which is a different budget line from replacing the IVR.

Cresta Training Simulator replaces scripted role-play with live, dynamic AI simulations that help human agents practice before going live.

https://x.com/cresta/status/2075206570225414290

OpenAI@OpenAI 3 in corpus · first 2026-07-08

2026-07-08 · 2026-W28 · model · launch · GPT-Live (ChatGPT)

GPT-Live replaces Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT

OpenAI replaced Advanced Voice Mode defaults in ChatGPT with full-duplex GPT-Live models, with interruptions, live translation, and mid-conversation delegation to GPT-5.5-class models.

The API SKU is the 10 Sep filing: GPT-Live-1 at $0.05/min for the voice layer.

Introducing GPT-Live, a new generation of voice models for natural human-AI interaction. Rolling out in ChatGPT starting today. You’ll want to turn the sound on for this one.

https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2074907025537224840

GPT-Live is now fully rolled out to all ChatGPT users on Go, Plus, and Pro plans. Free user rollout is in progress. Update to the latest version of the ChatGPT app on iOS or Android to try it out.

https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2075019750569378007