I’ve spent 30 years building software. The last two decades, I’ve been obsessed with voice.
I’m Pete Haas, and I believe we’re in the early innings of the most important shift in human-computer interaction since the smartphone. Voice AI isn’t just another interface — it’s the interface. The one that finally meets people where they are, instead of asking them to learn our tools.
That conviction drives everything I do. As CTO at WellSaid AI, I’m building cognitive assessment and brain exercise applications for older adults — people for whom tapping tiny screens was never a great answer. Voice gives them something better: a conversation. It’s the kind of work that reminds you why you got into technology in the first place.
The Path Here
My journey into voice AI started before most people were paying attention. I was building voice applications when Alexa was still new and Siri was still a novelty. Some highlights along the way:
- Amazon Alexa Hackathon Grand Prize Winner (November 2020) — Built “Shell Game,” an Alexa skill that proved voice-first gaming could actually be fun and engaging.
- Samsung/Bixby Developer Showcase Finalist (November 2018) — One of the early builders exploring what Samsung’s voice platform could do. Watch the showcase.
- VOICE Summit 2019 Speaker — Shared what I’d learned about building real-world voice applications at the industry’s premier conference.
- Chicago Code Camp Presenter (2017–present) — I keep coming back because teaching forces you to sharpen your thinking. If you can’t explain it clearly, you don’t understand it well enough.
What I Think About
I spend most of my time at the intersection of voice interfaces, large language models, and real-world applications. The questions that keep me up at night:
- How do we build voice AI that actually understands context, not just commands?
- What does it take to make conversational AI trustworthy enough for healthcare?
- Where is the line between helpful and creepy in always-listening systems?
- How do we design voice experiences for people who aren’t tech-native?
I’m not interested in hype cycles or press releases. I care about what works, what doesn’t, and what’s coming next — informed by actually building these systems, not just reading about them.
Why “Conversation Curve”?
Every technology has an adoption curve. Voice AI is on one too — but it’s different. It’s not about feature adoption or market penetration. It’s about the conversation getting better. Every year, the AI understands more, responds more naturally, handles more complexity. We’re riding that curve upward, and I want to track it — both the technology and the implications.
This site is where I think out loud about all of it. If you’re building voice applications, thinking about conversational AI for your business, or just curious about where this technology is headed, you’re in the right place.
Let’s Talk
I’m always happy to connect with people working in voice AI, conversational technology, or anyone curious about the space. The best conversations happen when people with different perspectives come together.
Find me on LinkedIn or reach out through this site.
