Groq Inc

Groq provides AI inference infrastructure purpose-built for latency-sensitive applications like voice AI. The platform runs on Language Processing Units (LPUs), custom silicon designed specifically for AI inference rather than adapted GPUs. This architecture delivers deterministic, predictable performance that eliminates the latency spikes common in GPU-based systems.

The integration with Vapi enables developers to access Groq's high-speed inference for both language models and speech processing. GroqCloud supports leading open-source LLMs including Llama, DeepSeek, Qwen, and Mistral, all optimized for real-time conversational AI. Token generation speeds reach upwards of 1,200 tokens per second for lightweight models, with time-to-first-token consistently under 200 milliseconds.

For speech processing, Groq runs Whisper models at exceptional speeds. Whisper Large v3 Turbo operates at 216x real-time, meaning a minute of audio transcribes in under 300 milliseconds. This performance makes true real-time voice interactions possible without perceptible delays. Text-to-speech capabilities through PlayAI Dialog deliver 140 characters per second, approximately 10x real-time speech generation.

Vapi and Groq combine to deliver voice AI applications where speed is the defining feature. The integration connects Vapi's voice orchestration to Groq's LPU-powered inference, creating a pipeline optimized for the sub-300ms latency threshold required for natural conversation.

Voice applications have strict latency requirements that traditional GPU inference struggles to meet consistently. Natural conversation breaks down when response times exceed 500 milliseconds, creating awkward pauses that make AI feel mechanical. Groq's deterministic architecture eliminates the variable latency inherent in GPU scheduling, providing consistent performance even under load.

The technical integration leverages Groq's OpenAI-compatible endpoints for seamless connectivity. Developers building on Vapi can route LLM inference to GroqCloud while using Groq's Whisper implementation for speech-to-text. The combination delivers end-to-end voice processing with each component operating at speeds that support natural conversational cadence.

Customers benefit from both performance and cost advantages. Groq's LPU architecture is up to 10x more energy efficient than GPU-based alternatives, translating to competitive pricing.