KT to invest $2 million in US voice biomarker developer

KT Corp., a South Korean telecommunications giant, plans to invest $2 million in Sonde Health Inc., a US voice biomarker developer, to enhance the competitiveness of its key businesses and accelerate its expansion in the healthcare industry.

KT said on Thursday it participated in Sonde’s Series B funding round to raise $25.5 million for a business partnership. KT aims to upgrade its businesses based on voice artificial intelligence such as call centers and AI speakers with Sonde’s technology.

The telco also plans to apply the technology to its digital healthcare business in Vietnam.

“We will seek synergy with KT’s businesses at home and abroad based on Sonde Health’s excellent technology competitiveness,” said KT AI/DX Convergence Business Division head Song Jae-ho, adding voice biomarker technology is expected to bolster its various businesses.

Sonde Health specializes in technology that predicts various diseases such as respiratory disorders by using voice biomarkers.

Voice biomarkers help users monitor body conditions and predict diseases by analyzing subtle changes such as vocal cord movements.

The global voice biomarker industry was forecast to grow by an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5% to 6 trillion won by 2027, according to market research firm Coherent Market Insights.

“Sonde Health has the world’s largest data on health conditions based on changes in voice,” said a KT official. “The company is also developing businesses in partnerships with global majors including Qualcomm and GN Group.”

Write to Seung-Woo Lee at leeswoo@hankyung.com
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.