Mary-Louise Hoffman
IBM has acquired artificial intelligence firm Cognea with the goal of integrating Cognea’s AI technology into the Watson computing system, TechCrunch reported Monday.
Leena Rao writes that Cognea offers a virtual assistant software that is designed to make computers generate human-like conversational behavior.
“We believe this focus on creating depth of personality, when combined with an understanding of the users’ personalities will create a new level of interaction that is far beyond today’s “talking” smartphones,” said Mike Rhodin, senior vice president of IBM Watson Group, according to TechCrunch.
IBM intends to offer Watson’s cognitive conversation services to industry partners, universities and entrepreneurs, according to Rao’s article.
The technology firm has committed to invest $1 billion in Watson-focused research and development projects.
Rao writes the company recently invested in online healthcare management community Welltok and cognitive e-commerce firm Fluid.
