Yahoo! Buys NLP Expert SkyPhrase

Search engine giant Yahoo! has acquired natural language processing (NLP) technology startup SkyPhrase for an undisclosed sum.

SkyPhrase, which was founded by entrepreneur and cognitive scientist Nick Cassimatis (pictured) in 2011, develops technology to enable computers to understand human language and intentions. Its software converts human speech into code, and this can be used to build a model of what users are interested in, and to target advertising to them.

Through the deal, SkyPhrase's four-person team team will join the Yahoo Lab research unit in New York and help with Yahoo's product development.

In a blog post, SkyPhrase said: 'In Yahoo, we have found a company that not only shares our vision, but delivers a rich collection of information and services to a massive user base. We are excited to join Yahoo Labs to continue to work on our shared vision of making computers deeply understand people's natural language and intentions. We can't wait to take things to the next level together.'

Web sites: www.yahoo.com and www.skyphrase.com .

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