Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath believes voice technology could emerge as the next major interface shaping how people interact with technology—and that India must play a larger role in building it.

Speaking on his podcast People by WTF, Kamath discussed the future of voice artificial intelligence with Mati Staniszewski, CEO and co-founder of ElevenLabs, the AI startup that develops speech generation and voice-agent technologies used by enterprises and creators worldwide.

The conversation ranged from the rise of AI-native hardware and multilingual voice systems to concerns over the concentration of power among global technology platforms.

Voice as the next interface

Kamath said voice could become the most natural way people interact with technology if systems evolve to enable seamless conversations, contextual understanding and real-time translation.

“Nobody seems to have cracked voice yet. But if it translates without latency and becomes the natural interface, that changes who gets to participate,” Kamath said during the discussion.

For countries such as India—where linguistic diversity and limited English proficiency remain barriers to digital access—voice interfaces could significantly broaden participation in the digital economy.

Staniszewski said achieving that shift requires three elements: highly realistic voice models, deep integration with knowledge systems and the right hardware interface.

“The voice must feel human, have access to knowledge and memory, and work through a device that people are comfortable using,” he said.

Hardware may shape the ecosystem

While voice AI software is improving rapidly, the right device to deliver the experience is still emerging. Both Kamath and Staniszewski said wearable devices such as smart headphones, glasses or AI-enabled pendants could become key gateways to voice-driven computing.

Kamath revealed he has invested in London-based consumer electronics startup Nothing Technology Limited, led by Carl Pei, which he believes could play a role in developing AI-native hardware.

“I always thought AI companies will eventually need hardware that is designed for AI first,” Kamath said, adding that wearable devices capable of real-time translation could fundamentally change how people communicate.

Staniszewski said headphones are among the most likely form factors because they are already widely adopted and can support always-on voice interaction.

Concerns over platform dependence

Kamath also raised concerns about the growing influence of global technology platforms on information flows and digital behaviour.

“I don’t like the fact that a foreign nation controls the algorithm that defines the mood, nature and evolution of the youth of my country,” he said.

As geopolitical tensions reshape the technology landscape, Kamath suggested that reliance on global digital infrastructure—from social media networks to AI platforms—could become increasingly fragile.

He urged entrepreneurs to avoid building businesses entirely dependent on dominant ecosystems controlled by large technology companies.

“Don’t end up in a world where an Android or an Apple can charge you 20% to live on that platform,” he said, advocating the use of open-source tools and diversified technology stacks.

Exploring an India-focused social platform

Kamath also hinted at a project he has been developing: a social platform designed specifically for India that prioritises informed debate and intellectual curiosity over outrage-driven engagement.

Rather than replicating the “super-app” model popular in China, the platform would focus on verified individuals and structured discourse.

“I think there’s an emotion you can design for that sits further right on the spectrum—curiosity, the pleasure of sounding smarter, the thrill of genuine debate,” Kamath said.

Staniszewski suggested that future collaborations could combine ElevenLabs’ voice technology with Kamath’s content and community ecosystem. While no partnership has been announced, both agreed that voice-enabled social platforms represent an unexplored category.

“There is no AI social product today,” Staniszewski said.

Opportunities for startups

For entrepreneurs, Staniszewski said the biggest opportunity in voice AI lies in combining the technology with deep domain expertise in industries that have seen limited digital transformation.

Sectors such as automotive, healthcare and education could benefit from voice agents that improve customer support, training and in-product experiences.

“The biggest opportunity is where innovation has been slow,” he said, adding that companies that move quickly to integrate voice AI into traditional industries could build significant businesses.

For Kamath, the broader vision is to reduce the distance between decision-makers and the people affected by their decisions. Voice AI, he said, could democratise access to knowledge by delivering personalised and multilingual information to anyone with a connected device.

But that future, he warned, will depend on whether countries like India build their own technology infrastructure—or rely on platforms built elsewhere.