GOOGLE LAUNCHES GEMINI 3.1 TEXT-TO-SPEECH WITH 70+ LANGUAGES
Google has released Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a text-to-speech model that converts text into natural-sounding speech across 70+ languages. The system includes new audio tags for granular control over speaking style, pace, and tone.
■ MORE FROM THE AI DESK
Israel-based Hemispheric secured $52 million in funding for its AI model that analyzes non-invasive brain activity measurements and converts them into quantitative diagnostic metrics.
Anthropic and Blackstone are backing Ode, a new venture that embeds AI engineers directly inside enterprises. The bet signals a shift in where the next trillion dollars in AI value may be created: not in building models, but in implementing them.
Spectro Cloud, an AI infrastructure company focused on managing token costs, secured $100 million in Series D funding at a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The raise marks significant growth from the company's $750 million valuation in 2024.
Startups like Altur are deploying AI chatbots to handle debt collection calls, automating a process traditionally done by humans. Y Combinator has backed six debt collection and settlement startups over the past six years.