2 weeks Ago By Albert Lie
It’s 2025, and voice is no longer just a feature. It’s fast becoming the interface. From whispering into your phone to barking commands at your desktop, we're watching the return of the command line, only now it speaks and listens.
This post is a curated guide to building voice-first AI projects, whether you're just tinkering on weekends, ramping up your AI chops, or building something serious. Some are fun weekend hacks, others are stepping stones into the next interface revolution. All are open-ended, remixable, and built with tools you can start using today.
Let’s dive in!Voice Memo SummarizerRecord → Transcribe → SummarizeEver wish your voice notes could write themselves into bullet points? This project takes your rambly thoughts and turns them into tidy takeaways. Great for founders, freelancers, or anyone who thinks out loud.Stack: Whisper, OpenAI GPT, Streamlit or Next.
jsExample repo: Voice-Note-Summarizer-AppYou could build:Daily journal-to-email toolStandup summary generator"Voice inbox" for rapid idea captureTalk-to-Task: Voice-Based ProductivitySay it, don’t type itThis app converts spoken commands into structured actions—tasks, reminders, or calendar events. Think Siri, but open-source and programmable.Stack: Whisper, GPT, Zapier / Notion / Google Calendar APIExample repo: Friday-Voice-AssistantYou could build:Auto-task generatorVoice-based CRM loggerAI secretary for ADHD workflowsTalk to ChatGPTVoice in, voice outA conversational interface with an LLM—fully hands-free.
Ideal for casual Q&A, coaching, or mental health support. You speak, it listens and responds with synthesized voice output.Stack: Whisper, GPT, TTS (like ElevenLabs or Coqui TTS)Example repo: talk-to-chatgptBonus challenge: Add memory or custom voice charactersRAG for Audio: Ask My PodcastAsk a question, get a timestamped answerEver wanted to search a podcast, lecture, or voice note? This system transcribes audio, indexes it, and lets you ask natural language questions with references to the source.
Stack: Whisper, LlamaIndex or Haystack, OpenAIExample repo: podmindUse cases:Lecture Q&A toolsPost-call intelligencePodcast summaries with citationsVoice-Based Email Assistant"Tell John I’ll reschedule to Tuesday" → Email draftedA voice command tool that maps natural speech into structured email replies. It’s essentially GPT plus Gmail API, with voice input and output.Stack: Whisper, OpenAI, LangChain, Gmail APIExample repo: Voice-Based-Email-SystemBonus: Add support for messaging apps like Slack or DiscordReal-Time Transcription DashboardMeetings, interviews, and talks—captured liveA dashboard that captures, transcribes, and summarizes voice streams in real-time.
Add speaker labels and automatic highlights for maximum utility.Stack: Deepgram or Whisper, ReactExample repo: realtime-transcription-browser-js-exampleUse cases:Auto-meeting notesPodcast productionInterview loggingVoice Agent FrameworkBuild your own voice-powered CopilotImagine an open-source Alexa or AutoGPT—but with the tools you choose. This project turns voice input into multi-step tool use and autonomous workflows.
Stack: LangGraph, Whisper, GPT, TTSExample repo: agentsYou could build:Programmable voice assistantWorkflow automation with real toolsSafe agents with confirm/pause modesEmotion + Voice AnalysisUnderstand not just what was said, but howUseful for coaching, mental health, or UX research—this project detects tone, pitch, pauses, and emotional cues from voice recordings.Stack: Whisper, pyAudioAnalysis or DeepSBD, GPTExample repo: emotion-recognition-using-speechUse cases:Real-time emotional supportSoft-skill or leadership trainingInsight apps for relationships or HRMultilingual Voice AssistantSpeak in one language. Understand and reply in anotherGlobal tools need global understanding.
This project combines transcription, translation, and response—all handled by voice.Stack: Whisper, MarianMT or NLLB, Coqui or ElevenLabsExample repo: EveryLinguaAIGreat for:Travel companionsImmigrant supportLanguage tutoring botsProjects Worth Contributing ToIf you're not starting from scratch, consider contributing to one of these active open-source projects in the voice AI space:| Project | Description | GitHub ||----|----|----|| Whisper | Speech-to-text by OpenAI | openai/whisper || Coqui TTS | Real-time open-source text-to-speech | coqui-ai/TTS || Deepgram SDKs | Streaming transcription APIs | deepgram-devs || LangChain | Modular LLM tools with I/O chains | langchain-ai/langchain || OpenDevin | Developer agent with potential voice interface | OpenDevin/OpenDevin |Final ThoughtsSpeaking is our oldest interface. It predates screens, keyboards, and even writing.
What we're witnessing isn't new technology, but a return to our most natural form of expression. The tools and projects outlined here aren't just technical exercises. They're stepping stones toward computing that adapts to humans, rather than the other way around.
Got a voice project that's pushing boundaries? Share it in the comments or reach out directly. I'm building a resource library of voice-first innovations..
