Deal could help Californian iPhone maker take on Facebook and Google in the nascent AI market.

Iain Morris, International Editor

August 8, 2016

2 Min Read
Apple Buys AI Startup Turi for $200M – Report

iPhone maker Apple is reported to have spent $200 million on a takeover of an artificial intelligence (AI) startup called Turi.

The move, which was first reported by GeekWire, could help the Californian company in its battle against rivals like Facebook and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), as emerging computing capabilities open up new service opportunities for the world's biggest technology players.

Turi assists developers who are introducing machine-learning capabilities into software and services. Its technology can also help organizations to detect patterns of consumer behavior and then improve their sales and marketing activities.

According to a report from Bloomberg, which cites a source close to the matter, the Turi technology could be integrated with Siri, Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)'s voice-controlled digital assistant, to improve the service to customers. Turi might also aid the development of forthcoming products and services.

Bloomberg also reports that Apple sees the deal as a way of fostering links with the growing community of AI researchers.

For all the latest news from the wireless networking and services sector, check out our dedicated mobile content channel here on Light Reading.

Based in Seattle, Turi used to be called Dato and is said to have raised about $25 million in funding from investors including New Enterprise Associates and Madrona Venture Group.

The takeover move would come after a series of AI acquisitions by Apple, including the January purchase of Emotient, whose technology analyzes facial expressions to determine what they mean.

In 2015, Apple bought two AI startups called VocalIQ and Perceptio as it looked to make improvements to Siri.

— Iain Morris, Circle me on Google+ Follow me on TwitterVisit my LinkedIn profile, News Editor, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Iain Morris

International Editor, Light Reading

Iain Morris joined Light Reading as News Editor at the start of 2015 -- and we mean, right at the start. His friends and family were still singing Auld Lang Syne as Iain started sourcing New Year's Eve UK mobile network congestion statistics. Prior to boosting Light Reading's UK-based editorial team numbers (he is based in London, south of the river), Iain was a successful freelance writer and editor who had been covering the telecoms sector for the past 15 years. His work has appeared in publications including The Economist (classy!) and The Observer, besides a variety of trade and business journals. He was previously the lead telecoms analyst for the Economist Intelligence Unit, and before that worked as a features editor at Telecommunications magazine. Iain started out in telecoms as an editor at consulting and market-research company Analysys (now Analysys Mason).

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