#278 Building Multi-Modal AI Applications with Russ d'Sa, CEO & Co-founder of LiveKit
Jan 27, 2025
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Russ d'Sa, CEO and Co-founder of LiveKit, dives into the exciting world of multimodal AI applications. He shares insights on the evolution of voice technology, emphasizing the need for developers to adapt to new protocols for real-time interactions. The discussion also touches on AI's shift from cloud-centric to AI-centric computing and the significance of human-like AI voices in diverse applications. With a focus on the challenges and opportunities of video AI, Russ explores the potential of AI-generated environments and the impact of deepfake technology on authenticity.
The evolution of voice AI now enables seamless user experiences through advanced natural language processing and real-time interaction capabilities.
Challenges in developing video AI systems highlight the necessity for new technologies to handle quality and latency while addressing ethical concerns about deepfakes.
Deep dives
The Dominance of Visual Processing in Humans
Human brains are primarily dedicated to visual processing, with approximately 70-75% of neurons focused on interpreting visual information. This emphasis on visual input indicates that humans are naturally inclined to notice differences and inconsistencies in what they see. Consequently, when it comes to technology, such as video, the standards for quality and experience are significantly higher than for auditory stimuli. This realization highlights the technical challenges in developing effective video AI systems, which require handling vast amounts of data compared to audio processing.
Advancements in Voice AI Technology
Voice AI has evolved significantly, with improvements in both AI intelligence and latency, resulting in a more seamless user experience. Modern voice AI systems can now process natural language more effectively by utilizing sophisticated AI models that enhance query comprehension and response generation. Additionally, the introduction of specialized models that can quickly transcribe speech and synthesize responses has made voice interactions more intuitive. These developments have opened up opportunities in various applications, particularly in enhancing customer service experiences and revolutionizing traditional phone call systems.
Challenges of Developing Voice AI Applications
Creating voice AI applications presents unique challenges, particularly due to the existing internet infrastructure which was not designed for real-time media streaming. Many developers find themselves navigating a different paradigm when working with protocols like WebRTC, which is essential for streaming audio and video data. This necessity for a deep understanding of new technologies and architectures can be daunting for those accustomed to traditional text-based development. Simplifying this process, as seen with companies like LiveKit, can help bridge the gap, allowing developers to focus more on building innovative applications rather than getting bogged down in backend complexities.
Future Trends in Video AI and Ethical Considerations
The field of video AI is rapidly progressing, although challenges related to latency and content quality persist. As the technology matures, potential use cases are emerging in business applications, education, and customer support, where empathetic visual representations can improve user interactions. However, ethical concerns about deepfakes and content authenticity remain prominent. Developing methods for verifying and authenticating generated content will be critical as society adapts to the rapid advancements in AI, highlighting the importance of establishing trust in digital media.
As multimodal AI continues to grow, professionals are exploring new skills to harness its potential. From understanding real-time APIs to navigating new application architectures, the landscape is shifting. How can developers stay ahead in this evolving field? What opportunities do AI agents present for automating tasks and enhancing productivity? And how can businesses ensure they're ready for the future of AI-driven interactions?
Russ D'Sa is the CEO & Co-founder at Livekit. Russ is building the transport layer for AI computing. He founded Livekit, the company that powers voice chat for OpenAI and Character.ai. Previously, he was a Product Manager at Medium and an engineer at Twitter. He's also a serial entrepreneur, having previously founded mobile search platform Evie Labs.
In the episode, Richie and Russ explore the evolution of voice AI, the challenges of building voice applications, the rise of video AI, the implications of deep fakes, the potential of AI-generated worlds, the future of AI in customer service and education, and much more.