AI Cafe: The Future of Voice AI: From Tech Foundations to Real-World Impact
The Future of Voice AI: From Tech Foundations to Real-World Impact
Illya and Andy will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of Voice AI—what’s possible today, where the technology is heading, and how it’s opening new business frontiers. The conversation will unpack the current state of voice systems, from cascade architectures to emerging audio-to-audio models, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and the opportunities they unlock.
Illya will dive into the technical side, sharing insights from building Stella Foster, a voice-based AI designed to improve the lives of seniors. Andy will provide broader industry context, framing how voice technologies are transforming sectors beyond healthcare. The session will conclude with an open Q&A to spark ideas, collaborations, and new perspectives on the future of human–AI interaction.
Agenda - AI Networking
8:45 - 9:30 am • Coffee and Socialize
9:30- 10:30 am • Talk and Presentation
November 13th, 2025
About: Illya Bakurov
Illya is the Co-Founder and CTO of Stella Foster - voice-based AI assistant. His work focuses on designing voice-first and ambient experiences that help people, particularly seniors, interact with technology as naturally as they would with another person. These systems have proven especially useful for reminders, remembering things, and creating daily routines that support independence and peace of mind. With over a decade of experience building consumer technology, Illya combines design thinking with deep technical understanding of modern AI architectures.
He built systems using a cascade approach, connecting speech-to-text, LLMs, and text-to-speech pipelines in real time, as well as working with end-to-end audio-to-audio systems. This experience gives him a practical view of what works, what breaks, and how to design around real-world limitations.
Before Stella Foster, Illya built and sold a startup, Spotlight, to Snap Inc., where he later worked as a Design Engineer, leading the development of Camera and Creative Tools, including the Voice Over, and Auto-Caption features, used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Today, his focus is on how voice AI can extend independence, memory, and connection, and on sharing the insights and lessons that help others build human-centered voice systems that truly make life easier.
About: Andy O.
Andy O. is a product leader, designer, and entrepreneur with nearly a decade of experience across multiple domains such as building, managing, selling, supporting, and launching world-class products for brands like Apple, OpenAI, Berkshire Hathaway, SERHANT, Sotheby’s, and DJI. A proven top performer. Andy has consistently broken KPI records, led teams through full product full product launches, and driven measurable business results across design, strategy, operations, and marketing.
In 2025, Andy founded Lucky Day Labs, an AI automation and design company, where he led product ops, design, and strategy for a company with projected $200K ARR (2025) and hosted an AI Film Festival with Rivian. His work blends technology, creativity, and customer experience, backed by deep expertise in AI, machine learning, and product design. Andy is also a published AI researcher, keynote speaker on the future of work and art in an AI world, and a recipient of multiple scholarships for academic and artistic achievement.
Specialties: Product Design, AI & Machine Learning, CX, Web Design, Startups, Team Leadership, Photography & Video Production.
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