Is Artificial Intelligence the solution to podcast search? A Sacramento-based app creator thinks so. Fathom.fm says it has just raised an undisclosed sum in a seed round of funding to grow its AI-powered podcast player for iOS devices. Headed by cofounders Paul Bloch and Ken Miller, the company says it uses AI to comprehend entire podcasts. This means that users can ask natural language questions via search and get their answers in the form of 30-second podcast highlight clips, as if podcasters and their guests were answering them.
Fathom also uses AI algorithms to provide podcast episode recommendations. It says because their app actually understands what’s being talked about in an episode thanks to AI, it is able to recommend podcasts that are more relevant to the listener.
Fathom said among the investors in its app is Jason Calacanis, a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and the host of the This Week In Startup podcast. Others include The Syndicate, Seraph Group, and Textline CEO Alan Braverman, among others.
"Now that we've secured this round of financing we're ready to continue the next phase of our development and create some great products," said Paul Bloch, co-founder and Chief Design Officer in the announcement. "We have a lot of amazing AI-first features on the way that will transform the way people engage with podcasts.”
Fathom’s app for the iPhone and web launched earlier this year. The company has not yet said whether it plans to create an Android companion.
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