Author: P.J. Leimgruber
We're excited to announce OpenHomies with Shannon Wu - a new podcast featuring candid conversations with the pioneers, builders, and visionaries shaping the future of voice AI and human-computer interaction.
Voice technology is at an inflection point. After decades of development, we're finally seeing AI that can have natural, flowing conversations rather than just execute commands. The implications are massive - from how we interact with our homes to how we combat social isolation to how we design technology that enhances rather than dominates our lives.
OpenHomies brings you inside these conversations with the people who've been building this future for years. We have some incredible discussions lined up with high-profile guests exploring the hottest topics in AI - from the technical breakthroughs enabling ambient intelligence to the design principles that make voice interfaces feel human. Guest announcements coming soon, but trust us: you won't want to miss these.
If you're interested in joining Shannon for a conversation, email chris@openhome.com and let us know what you have to share, we'd love to hear from you (and so would the world ❤️).
Episode 1: Dr. Ahmed Bouzid on the Evolution of Voice AI
We're kicking off the podcast with Dr. Ahmed Bouzid, CEO of Witlingo, a company building voice and conversational AI solutions for brands. Ahmed brings over 25 years of experience in human language technology and holds 14 patents in the field. Most notably, he served as Head of Product for Amazon Echo Smart Home from 2014-2016, where he was instrumental in launching Alexa's smart home experience and the Alexa Skills platform.
Before Amazon, Ahmed held positions at Angel.com and has been deeply involved in voice technology since the late 90s - from the early days of IVR systems through Siri's launch and beyond. He's also a prolific author, having written "The Elements of Voice First Style," "Generative AI For Executives," and several other books on technology and innovation.
What We Cover
Ahmed shares the surprising story of Echo's early adopters (hint: it wasn't tech-savvy millennials), explains what Amazon and Google got wrong in the "skills race," and reveals why conversational AI is fundamentally different from command-based interfaces.
Key moments include:
Ahmed's "light bulb moment" first experiencing Alexa's far-field voice recognition
Why seniors became Echo's unexpected demographic and what that taught the team
The critical difference between commands and conversations for user experience
How OpenHome is solving technical problems (like echo cancellation and pause sensitivity) that enable truly natural dialogue
Ahmed's vision for voice AI as a catalyst for human connection rather than a replacement
The conversation explores both the technical innovations and human-centered design principles that are finally making voice-first experiences feel natural and valuable.
Watch Episode 1 now on our YouTube channel and subscribe for upcoming conversations with the people defining the next era of human-computer interaction.
Join Us in Building the Future of AI
Create your custom AI smart speaker and build with the latest power Voice AI tools. Browse thousands of apps or make your own. Get started today:
Website: openhome.com
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Sign up: app.openhome.xyz
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