Samsung acquires UK-based firm to improve on-device AI

Samsung acquires Oxford Semantic Technologies to improve on-device AI on Galaxy devices

With the acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies, Samsung aims to bring more sophisticated and personalized AI solutions to Galaxy devices. The UK-based firm, started in 2017 by three Oxford University professors, has successfully developed a knowledge graph technology to optimize data processing and enable advanced reasoning in the cloud and on-device.

These knowledge graphs collect dynamic data from various apps and services, arrange that data in an interconnected web, and create context. They do this in the same way humans acquire, remember, and process information. That data can then be used to understand how people use a product and improve recommendations.

The knowledge graph firm has created an AI-based engine called RDFox, which is already being used by companies across Europe and North America. The UK-based company has successfully commercialized its knowledge graph technology, and it is offered to e-commerce, finance, and manufacturing firms. Samsung aims to combine Oxford Semantic Technologies' knowledge graph with on-device AI on Galaxy devices to offer hyper-personalized user experiences while keeping private data safe and secure.

Samsung has been collaborating with Oxford Semantic Technologies since 2018. The company's investment arm, Samsung Ventures, invested £3 million in the UK-based firm in 2019. With the acquisition, the South Korean firm can secure critical technologies for processing personal knowledge graphs.

Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, Head of Samsung Research and CTO of Samsung Electronics, said, “As global consumers realize their growing need for more personalized 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.“