Reliance AGM 2025: JioHotstar Gets Smarter with Riya Voice Assistant and AI-Powered Translation

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) used its 48th annual general meeting (AGM) to announce a wide range of updates across telecom, consumer tech, and media. The event, led by Chairman Mukesh Ambani and his son Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, included details about Jio’s upcoming IPO, new 5G deployments, and fresh product launches.

JioHotstar’s Growth Since Merger

JioHotstar came together after the merger of Viacom18 and Disney’s Star India in November 2024, forming the JioStar venture. This move combined JioCinema and Disney Hotstar under a single app.

According to Akash Ambani, the platform already offers more than 3.2 lakh hours of content and plans to add 30,000+ hours every year. Within just three months of launch, JioHotstar reportedly onboarded 600 million users and reached 75 million connected TVs. Active subscribers now stand at 300 million, placing it among the world’s largest streaming platforms.

Riya: Voice-Enabled Assistant for Discovery

One of the biggest upgrades to JioHotstar is Riya, a new voice-enabled search assistant. Unlike traditional search bars that require specific keywords, Riya will let users ask natural language queries such as “find comedies released after 2020” or “shows with at least three seasons.” Ambani didn’t confirm whether Riya is backed by an advanced AI model, but the focus appears to be on simplifying how viewers discover content.

AI-Powered Real-Time Translation

JioStar is also introducing Voice Print, an AI-driven translation tool designed for live sports and entertainment in foreign languages. Using a mix of voice cloning and lip-sync technology, it can dub content into multiple Indian languages in real time. While Ambani did not disclose how many languages will be supported at launch, the feature is positioned as a way to broaden access for regional audiences.

Jio Frames: Taking on Smart Glasses

Alongside software updates, Reliance also announced Jio Frames, a pair of AI-powered smart glasses that will compete with Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. While details were limited, the announcement signals Jio’s interest in expanding into wearable AI devices, building on its existing telecom and streaming ecosystem.

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