Microsoft acquires Semantic Machines to bolster ‘conversational AI’ efforts

Microsoft has acquired Semantic Machines, a "conversational AI" startup in Berkeley, Calif., to further its work in building machines that can converse naturally with humans. Semantic aims to advance the state of voice-based AI, like virtual assistants Alexa, Siri, Cortana and others, from understanding and responding to commands to being able to have compete conversations.