Samsung has acquired leading knowledge graph technology startup Oxford Semantic Technologies

Samsung Electronics has announced it has started the process of acquiring Oxford Semantic Technologies, a UK-based startup specializing in knowledge graph technology. Oxford Semantic Technologies was founded in 2017 by Oxford University professors Ian Horrocks, Boris Motik, and Bernardo Cuenca Grau. Since its inception, the startup has specialized in knowledge representation and semantic reasoning, culminating in an AI-centric engine, RDFox, leveraged by Oxford Semantic Technologies' partners in sectors including finance, manufacturing, and e-commerce.

Both companies have collaborated since 2018, and their partnership includes a prior investment in the startup by Samsung Ventures. With the acquisition, Samsung plans to leverage this advanced knowledge graph technology to create ultra-personalized experiences while maintaining data security. An obvious starting point is in mobile devices like the Galaxy S24 series, which feature on-device AI, an ideal companion to personal knowledge graphs. Together, on-device AI and personal knowledge graphs enable the delivery of hyper-personalized user experiences without compromising users' security and privacy, since all sensitive information remains on the device. While mobile devices are the most obvious application, Samsung is not stopping there. Rather, the company plans to extend these experiences to cover its full range of products, from mobile devices to televisions and home appliances.

Peter Crocker, CEO of Oxford Semantic Technologies, remarked that both parties profit from the merger, emphasizing that, in addition to Samsung being able to offer personalized on-device experiences, developing RDFox within Samsung will yield improved product development and customer support for Oxford Semantic Technologies clients. Samsung's CTO, Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, sees the acquisition as a crucial step toward delivering tailored AI experiences built on Samsung's technological innovation.