Intel acquires cognitive computing company

Intel announces it is acquiring Saffron, a company specializing in cognitive computing. The startup has a platform that has ‘natural intelligence’, which is already being used in practice. Intel also sees opportunities for technology in consumer products.

According to Josh Walden, senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s New Technology Group, Saffron has in-house technology capable of ingesting data from various sources and “connecting the dots” to help companies with all kinds of decision-making. . This would already be applied by companies to anticipate market developments, optimize processes and mitigate risks.

Cognitive computers are able to learn from information that is presented to them. This gives them a human-like intelligence and an analytical mind, which can be used for solving complex problems. IBM has been investing heavily in cognitive computing for years with its Watson supercomputer.

Intel not only wants to apply cognitive computing in servers for analyzing business data, but also sees opportunities in the consumer products market. According to Intel, it could be applied in small devices that should be able to perceive and interpret complex information in real time. The blog post in which Walden announces the acquisition is tagged ‘wearable’, and he also mentions the internet-of-things as an area of ​​application.

As part of Intel’s New Devices Group, Saffron will continue to operate independently and also contribute to the development of new devices and technologies from Intel. Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.