Google has been finding more ways to augment people's reliance on their devices and, by extension, its services. This is depicted in its continuous development of artificial intelligence (AI) and highlighted by its recent acquisition of the API.AI.
API.AI is in the business of building tools that makes it easier to interact with bots. Its most prominent technology involves the Assistant app, a pioneering conversational assistant that boasts of 20 million user base.
The company's services also feature artificial intelligence technology capable of learning. It is embedded in the company's conversational interfaces implemented in connected cars, smart home devices, wearable devices and mobile applications, among others.
"API.AI has a proven track record for helping developers design, build and continuously improve their conversational interfaces," Google said in a blog post. "API.AI offers one of the leading conversational user interface platforms and they'll help Google empower developers to continue building great natural language interfaces."
Google did not disclose how it plans to tap API.AI technology and its products. However, these could further refine the company's messaging apps such as Google Allo, which also features assistance function wherein users could ask for information. API.AI could ensure that the app's interaction with its users is significantly improved, particularly since it purportedly perfected natural language interfaces.
Furthermore, the API.AI acquisition could reinforce Google's DeepMind AI project. Its recent completion of the WaveNet technology, for example, has enabled the AI to mimic human voice and perform significantly better than existing Text-to-Speech systems.
As API.AI explained, its "platform lets developers seamlessly integrate intelligent voice command systems into their products to create consumer-friendly voice-enabled user interfaces."
On the other hand, API.AI also seems keen in tapping the expertise and resources of its new owner.
"Google will allow us to accelerate improvements to the platform and service our growing developer community in ways we've always dreamed," Ilya Gelfenbeyn, API.AI CEO, said in an official statement.
The pronouncement also indicated the API.AI position with respect to its current customers. It underscores an assurance for these stakeholders that they will be enjoying the same services, which will further be complemented by Google's knowledge, infrastructure and support.
The recent statements from both Google and API.AI were not clear whether the latter will still operate independently. There is also no information as to how much Google paid for the acquisition. For some insights, one could turn to the $8.6 million API.AI raised in its recent funding campaign.
