Microsoft acquires UK-based AI firm SwiftKey

Microsoft has acquired UK-based SwitKey, the company behind popular predictive keyboard app of the same name.

The acquisition doesn’t mean that the SwiftKey apps for iOS and Android will be pulled out from the respective stores, instead SwitKey has decided to continue development.

“Our mission is to enhance interaction between people and technology. We think these are a perfect match, and we believe joining Microsoft is the right next stage in our journey,” added SwiftKey’s founders Jon Reynolds and Ben Medlock in a blog post.

SwiftKey is one of the most popular mobile keyboards available in the market. And what makes this keyboard app so special is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) behind its predictive typing that actually learns you. It also powers the technology on Professor Stephan Hawking’s wheelchair.

The acquisition is worth $250 million, reports Financial Times.