Samsung to acquire Oxford Semantic Technologies

The latest acquisition will now allow Samsung to integrate advanced core engines for personal knowledge graphs across its services and apps, creating highly personalised user experiences

Samsung Electronics has signed an agreement to acquire Oxford Semantic Technologies, a UK startup that specialises in knowledge graph technology.

This move aims to boost the AI capabilities within Samsung’s range of products, from mobile devices to home appliances.

Financial details and other terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Oxford Semantic Technologies was founded in 2017 by Oxford University professors —Boris Motik, Ian Horrocks, and Bernardo Cuenca Grau.

The firm has developed RDFox, an AI-centric engine used by sectors including finance, manufacturing, and e-commerce in Europe and North America.

Knowledge graph technology, as per Samsung, is vital in how it matches human reasoning by storing information as an interconnected web of related concepts.

This facilitates quick data retrieval and improves recommendations, simulating the human process of knowledge acquisition and reasoning.

Samsung’s collaboration with Oxford Semantic Technologies dates back to 2018, with Samsung Ventures having previously invested in the startup.

The latest acquisition will now allow Samsung to integrate advanced core engines for personal knowledge graphs across its services and apps, creating highly personalised user experiences.

The integration of personal knowledge graph technology with on-device AI, such as in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, promises hyper-personalised experiences while keeping sensitive data secure on the device.

Apart from mobile devices, this technology is expected to be utilised across Samsung’s entire product lines, extending to televisions and home appliances.

Oxford Semantic Technologies Chief Executive Officer 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.

Additionally, developing RDFox with Samsung, and being part of the bigger group, will provide all of our clients with an even better product, service and support, he added.

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 bolster Samsung’s strong capabilities in knowledge engineering.

This acquisition is another important step forward as we strive to deliver tailor-made artificial intelligence experiences built upon our hallmark technological innovation, he added.