Qualcomm has acquired the generative AI division of VinAI, an AI research organization based in Hanoi, for an unspecified amount, according to announcements made by the companies on Monday.
This acquisition signifies Qualcomm’s ongoing expansion into the AI tooling industry. VinAI, founded by former DeepMind research scientist Hung Bui, develops various generative AI technologies, including computer vision algorithms and language models.
Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, Jilei Hou, emphasized in a press release that this acquisition highlights the company’s commitment to investing in research and development to drive the next wave of AI innovation. By incorporating talent from VinAI, Qualcomm aims to enhance its capability to provide advanced AI solutions benefiting multiple industries and consumers.
VinAI, established by Bui in 2019, primarily focuses on AI-driven automotive products but also engages in advanced AI research. Supported by VinGroup, a Vietnamese conglomerate, VinAI develops solutions such as in-cabin monitoring, security, and smart parking systems for carmakers and other sector clients.
In a Forbes interview in 2023, Bui reported that VinAI employed around 200 people across its offices in Hanoi, the United States, and Australia.
Bui anticipates that VinAI will contribute to several Qualcomm product lines, including software and chips for smartphones, PCs, and vehicles. He stated that his team’s expertise in generative AI and machine learning would accelerate the development of innovative solutions that could transform daily living and working experiences.
Following the acquisition’s completion, Bui, who is VinAI’s CEO, will join Qualcomm.
This acquisition of VinAI is Qualcomm’s second this year, following its earlier purchase of Edge Impulse, a German AI and Internet of Things company, in March. Qualcomm’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, recently referred to edge AI—technology that can operate on devices independent of data center infrastructure—as a significant advantage for the tech company.
