Department of Computer Science spin-out company acquired by Samsung

Oxford Semantic Technologies (OST), a company created by three Department of Computer Science professors has been bought by Samsung Electronics. 

Established in 2017 by Professors Ian Horrocks, Boris Motik and Bernardo Cuenca Grau, OST uses advanced knowledge graph and reasoning technology to merge complex data from multiple sources, enabling accurate knowledge and insights, in a similar way that humans acquire, remember and reason using knowledge.  

Following the acquisition, the company’s bespoke software, RDFox®, will be integrated into Samsung’s AI devices, such as mobile phones, TVs and home appliances. It will enhance the personalisation of user experiences, bringing advanced understanding of user behaviour, and enabling rapid information recall and recommendations to customers.  

Backed by Samsung Ventures since 2018, alongside Oxford Science Enterprises and Oxford University Innovation, this acquisition by Samsung Electronics represents a major step in OST’s rapid ascent, with its advanced technology already used across the financial, manufacturing and e-commerce sectors in Europe and North America. 

We are delighted to be working with Samsung. By integrating Samsung’s expertise in user experience and data with our advanced knowledge graph and reasoning technology, we will provide Samsung’s customers with even more sophisticated personalisation. Peter Crocker, CEO of Oxford Semantic Technologies

As global consumers realize their growing need for more personalized AI experiences, the acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies will further boost Samsung’s strong capabilities in knowledge engineering. This acquisition is another important step forward as we strive to deliver tailor-made AI experiences built upon our hallmark technological innovation. Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, Head of Samsung Research and CTO of Samsung Electronics

The research project behind OST’s creation featured as one of the department’s Impact Case Studies submitted to the 2021 Research Education Framework (REF), the national body that assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. Enabling Applications of Ontologies via Reasoning Systems was one of five case studies that saw 81% of the department’s research rated as 'world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour' and the remainder as 'internationally excellent'.  

OST’s acquisition reflects the significant real-world impact of the department’s work, seeing this world-leading academic research transformed into commercial success. It is set to not only advance AI-based electronics, but also enhance the experience of millions of users of key electronics products across the world now and in the future.