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Nikhil Kamath discusses India’s AI future with ElevenLabs CEO
Kamath said reliance on foreign controlled platforms could shape how information spreads among young people in India.
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Rwittika Chakraborty - Fri, 13, Mar 2026
- 04:03 EDT
- 21
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath / LinkedIn/Nikhil Kamath
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath said India must build its own voice artificial intelligence ecosystem or risk relying on foreign-controlled technology platforms, during a conversation with UK-based ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski on the 'People by WTF' podcast.
Speaking on the podcast episode, Kamath discussed the future of voice AI, emerging hardware, and what he described as growing risks around technological dependence. He argued that voice could become the next major interface through which people interact with technology and information.
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“Nobody seems to have cracked voice yet. But if they do, if it translates without latency, if it becomes the natural interface, that changes who gets to participate,” Kamath said.
Staniszewski, whose company develops voice AI systems used by firms including Meesho, MasterClass, and TVS Motor, outlined what he said are three key factors for making voice technology widely usable: high-quality foundational models, integration with knowledge systems, and suitable hardware devices.
The discussion also focused on geopolitical concerns surrounding digital infrastructure. Kamath said he was uncomfortable with global technology platforms shaping online discourse in India.
“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.
Kamath said entrepreneurs should avoid building businesses entirely on platforms that could eventually compete with them.
“Don't end up in a world where an Android or an Apple can charge you 20 percent to live on that platform,” he said. “Diversify. Hedge. Build on open source where you can.”
During the conversation, Kamath also referred to a project he is developing, a social platform focused on India that encourages discussion and debate among verified users.
“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. You don't need to trigger hate to keep people engaged,” he said.
Staniszewski suggested a potential collaboration where ElevenLabs could provide voice infrastructure while Kamath’s network contributes content and community.
“There is no AI social product today. The space is wide open,” Staniszewski said.
“The window is now.”
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