Voice AI is having its moment, but pretty soon every company will be a voice company.Olivia Moore is the author of a16z’s<a target="_blank" href="https://a16z.com/ai-voice-agents-2025-update/"> market report on voice AI agents</a>, which is a must-read if you’re interested in the space. She’s an amazing thinker and we cover a lot in this conversation, including:* Olivia's thesis that Voice AI is in it’s “internet in 1999” moment* The "wedge" strategy: using Voice AI to get in the door before transforming broader business operations* How recruiting became a surprising early adopter of Voice AI (candidates actually prefer it)* Voice AI's unique ability to handle compliance and stay on-script in regulated industries* Shifting from per-minute pricing to transaction-based fees or success metrics* Why big tech platforms (OpenAI, Google) won't dominate vertical-specific voice applicationsLinks* Olivia on X: <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/omooretweets">https://x.com/omooretweets</a> (must-follow!)* Her <a target="_blank" href="https://a16z.com/ai-voice-agents-2025-update/">market report on voice AI agents</a>* <a target="_blank" href="https://classicreload.com/dr-sbaitso.html">Dr Sbaitso emulator</a> - this was packaged with new Sound Blaster sound cards! Strange stuff.Chapters0:00 Intro and welcome1:24 Olivia's first AI "aha" moments 3:42 Coolest non-voice AI tools6:29 How Olivia got into the Voice AI space10:03 From consumer to enterprise13:50 DMV-bot16:22 Voice AI as a wedge20:57 Traction in the voice market24:24 Voice AI for recruiting28:59 Why AI doesn't go off-script31:03 Better experiences for candidates and customers33:24 The future of call centers37:02 Bear cases for Voice AI41:25 Open problems44:29 Pricing47:12 Working with twin sister Justine50:11 Three things Olivia's excited about Subscribe and listen: https://smartspeakers.fm This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.smartspeakers.fm?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.smartspeakers.fm</a>

Olivia Moore, a16z: Voice as a wedge