Samsung Electronics has signed an agreement to acquire Oxford Semantic Technologies, a UK startup specialising in knowledge graph technology.
While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, the move is aimed at expanding the AI capabilities within Samsung’s range of products, from mobile devices to home appliances.
Founded in 2017 by three Oxford University lecturers— Ian Horrocks, Boris Motik and Bernardo Cuenca Grau — the startup’s knowledge graphs are used by businesses for knowledge representation and semantic reasoning.
The University of Oxford spinout has developed RDFox, an AI-centric engine used by sectors including finance, manufacturing, and ecommerce in Europe and North America.
According to Samsung, Oxford Semantic’s product “optimises data processing and enables advanced reasoning” on devices and in the cloud, helping smartphones and other gadgets become “increasingly familiar with users’ preferences and usage.”
This facilitates rapid data retrieval and improves recommendations, imitating the human process of knowledge acquisition and reasoning.
Oxford Semantics CEO Peter Crocker said: “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 personalisation.
“In addition, developing RDFox with Samsung, and being part of the larger group, will provide all of our clients with an even better product, service and support.”
It follows an investment from Samsung Ventures, the firm’s VC division, into Oxford Semantic Technologies in 2019.
Samsung Research head and Samsung Electronics chief technology officer Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun said: “As global consumers realise their growing need for more personalised AI experiences, the acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies will further boost Samsung’s strong capabilities in knowledge engineering.
“This acquisition is another important step forward as we strive to deliver tailor-made AI experiences built upon our hallmark technological innovation.”