Maluuba Is Microsoft's DeepMind with a Commercial Tilt

Microsoft kicked off 2017 by acquiring Canadian artificial intelligence (AI) startup Maluuba. Many more AI acquisitions are likely to occur throughout the year, but this one is special. Maluuba's acquisition signals Microsoft's interest in artificial general intelligence (AGI). While AGI is a pipe dream for many, including Paul Allen, one of Microsoft's founders who has said that AGI is a long way off, Maluuba is already working on achieving AGI in the specific domain of language. By acquiring Maluuba, Microsoft will have its own DeepMind.