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Qualcomm acquires Vingroup's AI division for talents

Jingyue Hsiao, DIGITIMES Asia, Taipei 0

Credit: AFP

According to a press release, Qualcomm has acquired MovianAI, the former generative AI division of VinAI, which is part of the Vingroup. This acquisition will enhance Qualcomm's R&D capabilities, potentially fostering significant innovations.

Qualcomm said VinAI is known for its expertise in generative AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. The company added that for over two decades, it has collaborated with Vietnam's tech ecosystem, contributing to advancements in 5G, AI, IoT, and automotive sectors, which have spurred growth in Vietnam's ICT industry and supported local companies' entry into global markets.

Jilei Hou, senior vice president of engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., stated, "This acquisition highlights our commitment to R&D, positioning us as a leader in AI innovation. By integrating top talent from VinAI, we enhance our capability to deliver advanced AI solutions across various industries and for consumers."

Hung Bui, founder and CEO of VinAI and a former Google DeepMind scientist, expressed readiness to support Qualcomm's mission in advancing AI research across various industries, including smartphones and software-defined vehicles. He noted that his team's expertise in generative AI and machine learning will drive the development of transformative solutions.

Established foundation

In 2019, Vingroup established VinAI, a machine-learning lab focused on AI development in sectors like autonomous vehicles, healthcare, and consumer services.

In 2021, Nvidia's blog highlighted Vingroup as the first Southeast Asian company to install the Nvidia DGX SuperPOD AI supercomputer. This system significantly boosts VinAI's data processing capabilities, particularly for developing level 3 autonomous driving for VinFast, Vingroup's automotive arm. The DGX SuperPOD is projected to accelerate AI model training tenfold, allowing daily updates using real-world data from vehicles in the US and Europe.

Collaborative innovations

VinAI and Qualcomm launched GuardPro in 2023, an AI-powered system for safety and compliance monitoring in smart cities. GuardPro uses AI and computer vision to analyze up to 150 camera streams per AI accelerator, detecting non-compliance and security issues in real-time for residential and commercial buildings.

Article edited by Jerry Chen