IBM Buy Fuels Watson Big Data Division

IBM has acquired cognitive computing software firm AlchemyAPI, adding pace to the development of its analytics technologies and specifically the Watson unit launched a year ago. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Denver, AlchemyAPI provides scalable cognitive computing API services and deep learning technology, which will be integrated into the core Watson platform, adding to its ability to rapidly identify hierarchies and understand relationships within large volume data sets. Specifically, the buy adds language analysis APIs to address new types of text and visual recognition, and enhanced detection and analysis of key details from image data.

Watson, into which IBM says it is investing $1bn, analyzes high volumes of data, understands complex questions posed in natural language, and proposes evidence-based answers, learning as it goes. Its services are offered via IBM's Bluemix digital innovation platform, from which developers have built more than 7,000 Watson-powered apps to date. The addition of AlchemyAPI's developers will hugely enhance this community - its solutions have been used by more than 40,000 developers across 36 countries.

Elliot Turner, founder and CEO of AlchemyAPI comments: 'We founded AlchemyAPI with the mission of democratizing deep learning artificial intelligence for real-time analysis of unstructured data and giving the world's developers access to these capabilities to innovate. As part of IBM's Watson unit, we have an infinite opportunity to further that goal.' Watson SVP Mike Rhodin adds: 'Our ability to draw upon both internal and external sources of innovation, from IBM Research to acquisitions like AlchemyAPI, remain central to our strategy of bringing Watson to new markets, industries and regions.'

Web sites: www.ibmwatson.com and www.alchemyapi.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.