Latest in Gear

Image credit: Chris Schodt/Engadget

Apple buys an AI startup to improve Siri's data

Inductiv could ensure Siri has 'clean' info from your requests.
Jon Fingas, @jonfingas
May 27, 2020
207 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Sponsored Links

Using an Apple iPhone 11 at a table
Chris Schodt/Engadget

Apple is continuing its string of AI startup acquisitions, this time to improve Siri’s performance. The company has confirmed to Bloomberg that it recently acquired Inductiv, a Waterloo, Ontario, Canada-based company that uses AI to correct data — which, in turn, improves machine learning. The company didn’t elaborate on its plans and relied on its standard response that it “buys smaller technology companies from time to time,” but Siri appears to be the focus.

The iPhone maker appears to be focused on improving its voice assistant’s understanding as of late, most recently acquiring Voysis to boost natural language comprehension. Cleaner data would go a long way toward that goal by reducing the chances that garbage information confuses Siri.

Apple has been determined to upgrade Siri in recent times, and made waves when it hired Google’s former AI leader John Giannandrea with that upgrade in mind. With that said, it may be a while before Giannandrea and acquired startups like Inductiv reveal what they intend to do. Apple has been gradually rolling more AI into its products through features like Deep Fusion, but Siri still has a ways to go before it fully competes with the likes of Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Comment
Comments
Share
207 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Popular on Engadget

Fox Sports used a Sony A7R IV to give NFL broadcasts a cinematic look

Fox Sports used a Sony A7R IV to give NFL broadcasts a cinematic look

View
HBO Max lists all the devices that can play 'Wonder Woman 1984' in 4K HDR

HBO Max lists all the devices that can play 'Wonder Woman 1984' in 4K HDR

View
SpaceX shows off its Starship test flight one more time

SpaceX shows off its Starship test flight one more time

View
Five must-play games for your new PS5

Five must-play games for your new PS5

View
Apple rolls out lower App Store fees for 'Small Business' developers

Apple rolls out lower App Store fees for 'Small Business' developers

View

From around the web

Page 1Page 1ear iconeye iconFill 23text filevr