Apple Acquires AI Startup Voysis to Improve Siri

[MacRumors]

Apple has purchased artificial intelligence startup Voysis with the aim of improving Siri, reports Bloomberg. Voysis offers a platform that allows digital voice assistants to better understand natural language.

The company worked to improve voice assistants in online shopping apps, allowing software to better interpret requests from users. The website, which is now defunct, said that the technology used client databases with AI tools that deeply understand the specifics of products, services, and vocabulary to make the user experience "easier, faster and more intuitive."

The Voysis platform allowed customers to hone in on search requests with simple phrases like "I need a new LED TV" or "Just show me the 4K ones." Voysis said that shoppers could use voice to find what they're looking for 3x faster than typing using these kind of requests.

Bloomberg speculates that Apple could use Voysis' technology to improve Siri's understanding of natural language, or offer the Voysis platform to developers to improve how Siri works with apps.

Apple confirmed the acquisition to Bloomberg with its standard acquisition statement: "[Apple] buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

Apple has acquired multiple AI startups over the course of the last five years, such as Xnor.ai, Turi, VocalIQ, Perceptio, Emotient, and more, to improve Siri and other AI-based offerings.

Article Link: Apple Acquires AI Startup Voysis to Improve Siri

 

[mazz0]

Understanding speech is not what’s wrong with Siri

 

[BF1M]

Understanding speech is not what’s wrong with Siri

Well said.

 

[nt5672]

They had a bunch of staff, left over from the original acquisition, that could have improved Siri but Apple management told them to bugger off. Will maybe not in so many words, but by inaction, lack of funding, screwy management politics, etc.

 

[JMO1]

Understanding speech is not what’s wrong with Siri

yeah. It kind of sucks at that too. It’s like autocorrect, it defaults to more common words that fit common language structures. Unfortunately with music, names and numerous other things Siri still struggles to get it right.

 

[djcerla]

They had a bunch of staff, left over from the original acquisition, that could have improved Siri but Apple management told them to bugger off. Will maybe not in so many words, but by inaction, lack of funding, screwy management politics, etc.

As far as I know, AI efforts at Apple are now led by possibly the best guy in the business, former Google’s chief of AI and search.

Also: I guess Apple et al. will go on a shopping spree for startups and even larger companies (hey Disney) now that blood is on the streets.

 

[BuffaloTF]

Understanding speech is not what’s wrong with Siri

But it actually is... easily the biggest problem.

 

[lunarworks]

"[Apple] buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

Same. Response. Every. Time. To the word. For as long as I can remember.

 

[mazz0]

yeah. It kind of sucks at that too. It’s like autocorrect, it defaults to more common words that fit common language structures. Unfortunately with music, names and numerous other things Siri still struggles to get it right.

But it actually is... easily the biggest problem.

Huh, that hasn’t been my experience. I’m constantly impressed with how accurately it understands me. It just doesn’t do much that’s useful.

 

[jeyf]

would be great if Siri would NOT call home on everything

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I feel like this is the 10th AI startup company purchased by Apple to improve Siri LOL

 

[Madmic23]

Clippy was better than Siri.

 

[now i see it]

The problem with Siri is apple management. Key people quit

 

[badatusernames]

Understanding speech is not what’s wrong with Siri

While that is true, Siri has a hard time with dictation in my use.

 

[sirozha]

Why improve Siri? It's perfect! Use the cash to buy back shares while they are cheap.

 

[mistasopz]

Siri is the dumbest of all the smart assistants.

 

[Baymowe335]

Siri works great for what I need and has shown to be great at commands. Not sure what people try to use voice assistants for, but there are no problems for me.

If I want answers to complex questions, I don’t ask my assistant.

 

[LeadingHeat]

would be great if Siri would NOT call home on everything

THIS. I wish I could set an alarm or get a quick calculation without it saying “sorry, I’m having problems connecting. Please try again later.” Just have a cache of useful things that really don’t need the internet saved and it’s fixed!

Unless of course it still relies on an internet connection to even know what I’m saying which I don’t think it does.

 

[adammusic]

Understanding speech is not what’s wrong with Siri

Yes it is.

 

[az431]

What? No one complaining that this is anti-competitive and Apple should be sued?
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I feel like this is the 10th AI startup company purchased by Apple to improve Siri LOL

Do you feel that way because you read the last sentence of the article?

 

[mazz0]

Yes it is.

No it’s not.

 

[RogueWarrior65]

Bug report: Whenever I ask Siri about something, she insist on looking it up in wikipedia but refuses to read it to me instead expecting me to read it. Well, sh*t, I could have done that and saved myself the trouble.

 

[ipponrg]

Also: I guess Apple et al. will go on a shopping spree for startups and even larger companies (hey Disney) now that blood is on the streets

Yeah, it makes perfect sense for Apple to get into the parks and resort business. It’s in their forte

 

[dkh587]

Still not sure why Apple insists on lagging so far behind with Siri.

 

[iBreatheApple]

It’s kind of astonishing how much Alexa has grown passed Siri. Maybe, I’m expecting too much, but I feel like Siri has actually gotten worse over the past two years.
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While that is true, Siri has a hard time with dictation in my use.

It’s gotten worse and the behavior is so erratic. It will correctly dictate a sentence, “load” backspace the entire sentence that it had correct, and re-type something that it completely misheard. I don’t get it.