In a move to further strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for consumer devices, Samsung has announced that it will acquire UK-based knowledge graph startup, Oxford Semantic Technologies. The acquisition, which was made public on Thursday, marks another significant step in the electronics giant’s ambitious plans to integrate AI into its products.
A Brief History of Oxford Semantic Technologies
Oxford Semantic Technologies, a company spun out of the University of Oxford, was founded in 2017 by professors Ian Horrocks, Boris Motik, and Bernardo Cuenca Grau. The startup has been developing an AI reasoning engine, RDFox, which can process vast amounts of data into machine-readable knowledge that can be used to provide better user experiences.
What is a Knowledge Graph?
A knowledge graph is a type of database that utilizes a graph structure to organize and represent data on real-world entities such as people, objects, events, scenarios, and concepts. The technology also indicates the relationships between these entities, making it easier for machines to understand and make connections.
Google’s Use of Knowledge Graphs
Google has been utilizing knowledge graphs to power its search results, particularly its knowledge panel. The technology helps Google provide more accurate and relevant information to users by processing vast amounts of data and identifying relationships between entities.
Samsung’s Plans for Oxford Semantic Technologies
With the acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies, Samsung gains access to the startup’s AI and personal knowledge graph engines. According to Samsung, this will enable the company to bring together scattered information and context from different services and applications, providing a more personalized user experience while keeping data secured on-device.
Samsung’s Expansion into AI
This acquisition is part of Samsung’s broader efforts to integrate AI into its products. Earlier this year, the company announced that it would be bringing its Galaxy AI and Google’s AI model Gemini to its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy 24, as well as its latest foldable phones.
The Benefits of Knowledge Graphs
Knowledge graphs have a wide range of applications across various industries. For instance, they can be used in medical diagnoses, autonomous vehicle safety, detecting financial crimes, and suggesting product configurations.
Peter Crocker’s Statement on the Acquisition
"We are delighted to be working with Samsung," said Peter Crocker, CEO of Oxford Semantic Technologies. "By integrating Samsung’s expertise in user experience and data with our advanced knowledge graph and reasoning technology, we will provide Samsung’s customers with even more sophisticated personalization."
The Implications for Samsung Customers
With the acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies, Samsung customers can expect to see a significant improvement in their user experience. The integration of knowledge graphs into Samsung’s products will enable the company to provide more personalized recommendations and better search results.
Samsung’s Investment in AI Research
Samsung has been investing heavily in AI research and development over the past few years. In 2018, the company began working with Oxford Semantic Technologies on various projects, and it is an existing investor in the startup via its venture arm.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies by Samsung marks another significant step in the electronics giant’s ambitious plans to integrate AI into its products. With the addition of knowledge graphs, Samsung customers can expect to see a more personalized user experience while enjoying better search results and recommendations.
About the Author
Kate Park is a reporter at TechCrunch, with a focus on technology, startups, and venture capital in Asia. She previously worked as a financial journalist at Mergermarket covering M&A, private equity, and venture capital.