Google acquires natural language understanding startup Api.ai

Google today said that it's acquired API.ai, a startup with tools for speech recognition and natural language understanding. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. In addition to its developers tools, Api.ai offers a conversational assistant app with more than 20 million users. Google did not disclose its plans for integrating the startup's technology. That will be important, as Google already has tools for natural language understanding and speech recognition, and it has unveiled a Google Assistant that will be available through text messaging interface and the Google Home smart speaker.