Consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung is set to exit Canada-based deep learning technology developer Maluuba through an acquisition by software provider Microsoft for an undisclosed sum.
Maluuba is applying deep learning to the function of understanding language. It operates a research laboratory in Montreal with a view to developing a machine that can read, understand, infer and make logical decisions based on language in the same way a human being would.
The technology will be added to Microsoft’s own artificial intelligence development, which includes work on deep learning-aided speech and image recognition.
Maluuba co-founders Sam Pasupalak and Kaheer Suleman said in a blog post: “Microsoft is an excellent match for our company. Their ambitious vision of democratising AI to empower every person and every organization on the planet fundamentally aligns with how we see our technology being used.
“Microsoft provides us the opportunity to deliver our work to the billions of consumer and enterprise users that can benefit from the advent of truly intelligent machines.”
Samsung invested $2m in Maluuba in 2012 through its Samsung Ventures subsidiary before Emerillon Capital, Nautilus Ventures and unnamed strategic investors added $6.4m in January 2016.