Intel has acquired its own Siri-like personal assistant software from Israeli company Ginger for as much as $30 million according to some estimates. Intel hasn’t flat-out purchased the company entirely but instead hand picked its natural language processing tools and applications assets including a platform that allows companies to offer customized personal assistants. As part of the deal, some of Ginger’s key personnel will also make the shift over to Intel including up to 16 engineers associated with its natural language business.
Apple has Siri, and now Intel has Ginger. The chipmaker has made one more acquisition to bolster its advanced computing and artificial intelligence holdings: it has purchased selected assets, and hired talent, from Israel’s Ginger Software in the area of natural language processing tools and applications. Those assets include a platform for third parties to create customised personal assistants, for a price believed to be up to $30 million. Ginger Software, backed by investors like Li Ka-Shing’s Horizons Ventures, will continue to operate as an independent business focusing on its remaining business: intelligent grammar and spell checking software. This is not the only change afoot at Ginger: the company recently saw its chairperson, Soffer Teeni, leave to head up Facebook Israel.
