Google has apparently bought a promising AI start-up that specialises in AI voices that sound extraordinarily natural and human-like, with high emotional awareness and appropriate responses in conversations. All based on research.

It’s called Hume AI and it’s website says that the developers are, “pioneering the development of artificial intelligence that understands and responds to human emotions“. Assuming the name is a nod to one of the most influential English philosophers, David Hume, I couldn’t help wondering what he would think of being linked with this tool.