Samsung is opening a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratory located in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Andrew Blake, a former director of the Cambridge laboratory of the software giant Microsoft, will head the new research center, which has been named as the Samsung AI Centre, Cambridge. Blake noted in the announcement that Samsung’s Cambridge laboratory will focus on improving the way human behavior and emotions are understood, more specifically on the topic of emotion recognition. In addition to opening a new laboratory, the device maker also stated that it aims to increase its research and development staff in the European country from 250 to 400 in the near future.
The device maker has opened a number of laboratories in a variety of locations around the world in an effort to improve the company’s artificial intelligence technologies. Late last year, the tech giant opened an AI laboratory in Montreal, which is focused on the development of algorithms that could be used in robotics, autonomous driving, translations, image recognition, and other applications. Furthermore, Samsung has either purchased or invested in a number of artificial intelligence startups, with the aim of incorporating these technologies developed by the smaller companies into the AI services of the South Korean tech firm. Among the companies that the tech giant has acquired include the Egyptian tech firm Kngine, which developed a service that claims to imitate the way that the human brain collects and processes information. Meanwhile, among the AI startups that the device maker has invested in include Expert Labs, Vicarious, and Reactor Labs. Furthermore, Samsung has also opened a new AI center which coordinates the company’s initiatives in the development of artificial intelligence technologies.
The South Korean device maker has stated that the opening of new AI laboratories should help the company realize its vision of offering an ecosystem of devices that are powered by user-oriented AI technology. Aside from its smartphones, the tech company is hoping to include its AI technologies, including its virtual assistant Bixby, in other devices like dedicated speakers and vehicle infotainment systems. Moreover, previous reports also mention that the company is developing an AI-powered technology that aids building managers in monitoring their properties through the collection of data from sensors and other sources of information.