Microsoft acquires AI-scheduling startup Genee for Office 365
Microsoft announced on Monday it acquired Genee, an artificial intelligence startup focused on scheduling.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Microsoft plans to shutter Genee on September 1, 2016 and fold the team into Office 365.
Genee, launched by Ben Cheung and Charles Lee in 2014, integrates into cloud calendar services and allows users to automate the process of scheduling meetings, acting like your personal assistant to check schedules and select best times.
"We consider Microsoft to be the leader in personal and enterprise productivity, AI, and virtual assistant technologies, so we look forward to bringing our passion and expertise to a team that is committed to delivering cutting-edge language and intelligence services," wrote Lee.
Cheung and Lee are planning to join Microsoft.
"With today's news, I'm excited to welcome the Genee team to Microsoft," wrote Rajesh Jha, corporate vice president of Outlook and Office 365. "As we continue to build new Office 365 productivity capabilities and services our customers value, I'm confident the Genee team will help us further our ambition to bring intelligence into every digital experience."
Artificial intelligence-related acquisitions have been on a tear in recent months, with large companies like Microsoft making big bets. Apple recently acquired AI company Turi for roughly $200 million.