The Story Behind FutureSpeak.AI
From Newsrooms to Neural Networks
Hi there! I'm Stephen C. Webster, the founder of FutureSpeak.AI. I've spent my career bridging the gap between humans and technology, particularly in moments when organizations face big changes. My journey has been anything but ordinary – from investigative journalism to pioneering AI development, I've always been drawn to stories and technologies that make a difference.
My story begins in journalism, where for over 20 years I exercised the power of clear communication and truth-telling. Crucially, as the third editor-in-chief of Raw Story, I helped grow our readership from 50,000 to over 5 million monthly viewers. This experience taught me something: when cutting edge technology and consistently clear communication come together, amazing things happen.
But here's where it gets really interesting. In 2022, I made a pivot that would change everything. I joined the team working on Google's Bard AI, right when AI was becoming a hot topic. Remember when Bard had that famous hiccup during its launch? I was brought in the very next day to help fix its accuracy systems. Talk about diving into the deep end!
The Power of Words
After working with some of the biggest names in AI – Google's Bard and Gemini, Meta's LLaMA 3, and Amazon's Alexa – I saw a huge opportunity. That opportunity became even clearer in my role at Aquent Studios, where I currently lead AI innovation for their healthcare clients.
For context, Aquent Studios isn't your typical agency. They're a global co-creation powerhouse with over 700 internal employees and access to a network of more than 2 million professionals worldwide. They partner with industry giants like Adobe, John Deere, Marriott, and Merck to develop innovative experiences across strategy, design, creative, and emerging technologies.
It was in this environment, working with some of the world's leading healthcare brands, that I developed the vision for FutureSpeak.AI. I saw firsthand how the right AI tools, properly integrated with human workflows, could transform entire organizations. This wasn't just about automation – it was about augmentation, about making human creativity and expertise more powerful than ever before.
Our Philosophy: Humans and AI Are Better Together
We specialize in what we call "human-in-the-loop" agents. Think of these as AI assistants that work alongside people, making them better at their jobs rather than trying to do their jobs for them.
Appointment Scheduling & Customer Support
Our AI-powered voice and chat agents manage phone, text, and email inquiries and complete bookings 24/7, ensuring customers get help whenever they need it.
Repetitive Workflow Automation
You can have our AI agents streamline nearly any administrative task on a computer, freeing you and your team to focus on what matters most: the bottom line.
AI-Driven Marketing & Outreach
Our AI agents can research personas and then scope, personalize, and even direct entire marketing campaigns, tracking and improving engagement automatically.
Let's Connect!
I love connecting with people who are curious about AI and its possibilities. Whether you need help with a specific AI challenge or are just starting to explore the potential of AI for your business, I can bring together the right team of experts to help. Remember: The future isn't something that happens to us – it's something we create together.