Meta Buys AI Audio Startup WaveForms: Because Clearly, They Didn't Have Enough Data Already

In a move that shocked absolutely no one, Meta (formerly known as Facebook, formerly known as 'That thing your grandma uses to post Minion memes') has acquired AI audio startup WaveForms for an undisclosed amount of money and several crates of kombucha. WaveForms, which was founded approximately eight minutes ago, specializes in making AI that can perfectly replicate the sound of a dial-up modem connecting to the internet in 1995.

Why WaveForms? You might ask. Well, according to Meta's press release, 'We believe that the future of social media is not just seeing ads, but hearing them in the most annoying way possible.' The startup's technology will be integrated into Meta's platforms to ensure that every ad you scroll past will now also play a personalized jingle composed by an AI that thinks it's Mozart.

Industry experts (read: a guy on Twitter with a verified checkmark) have speculated that this acquisition is part of Meta's grand plan to create a fully immersive metaverse experience where you can't escape ads even in your dreams. 'Imagine waking up to the sound of a McDonald's jingle sung by a choir of robots,' said the expert, before adding, 'Actually, don't. That's terrifying.'

WaveForms' last funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz, who reportedly invested $40 million after the founders promised to make an AI that could turn any podcast into a lullaby. The startup was valued at $160 million pre-money, which is approximately $159 million more than what most of us have in our bank accounts.

In related news, Meta also announced plans to acquire a startup that specializes in AI-generated smells, because apparently, seeing and hearing ads wasn't enough – now they want you to taste them too.