Uber acquires Geometric Intelligence to create an AI lab

Ride-hailing requires a lot of machine smarts to maintain a competitive edge, so it's not surprising to see Uber make a strategic acquisition in the artificial intelligence space. The company has acquired Geometric Intelligence, a startup co-founded by academic researchers with AI experience, and its team will provide the core for a new central AI lab being established at Uber's SF HQ. Uber's doing a lot with machine learning already through its research team in Pittsburgh, but they're focused specifically on solving issues related to autonomous driving. This new core team will be looking at applications for AI more broadly, with a focus on basic research that's likely to have impact across a range of potential applications, including things like route management. It's also yet another sign that Uber wants to be passed among tech bigs like Google, Apple and Microsoft whose interests range beyond a single domain.