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How Tolan builds voice-first AI with GPT-5.1 | OpenAI

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With GPT‑5.1, Tolan built a voice app optimized for low latency, accurate context, and stable personalities as conversations evolve. Tolan⁠ (opens in a new window) is a voice-first AI companion where people talk with a personalized, animated character that learns from conversations over time. Built by Portola, a veteran team with a prior exit, the app is designed for ongoing, open-ended dialogue rather than quick prompts and replies. “We saw the rise of ChatGPT and knew voice was the next frontier,” says Quinten Farmer, co-founder and CEO of Portola. “But voice is harder. You’re not just responding to typed prompts; you’re holding a live, meandering conversation.” Voice AI raises the bar on latency and context management, but it also enables more open-ended, exploratory interactions than text. With foundation models becoming faster, cheaper, and more capable, the team focused their efforts on two key levers: memory and character design. Portola built a character-driven universe, shape

January 7, 2026 Startup How Tolan builds voice-first AI with GPT‑5.1 With GPT‑5.1, Tolan built a voice app optimized for low latency, accurate context, and stable personalities as conversations evolve. Loading… Share Tolan ⁠ (opens in a new window) is a voice-first AI companion where people talk with a personalized, animated character that learns from conversations over time. Built by Portola, a veteran team with a prior exit, the app is designed for ongoing, open-ended dialogue rather than quick prompts and replies. “We saw the rise of ChatGPT and knew voice was the next frontier,” says Quint

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