Qualcomm just bought an AI company you’ve never heard of
Qualcomm dove deeper into the AI pool, acquiring the generative AI division of Hanoi-based VinAI in a deal announced Monday. Financial details remain undisclosed, but the move signals Qualcomm’s accelerating interest in AI tools and talent.
VinAI, established in 2019 by Hung Bui (formerly of DeepMind), specializes in computer vision algorithms and language models. The company has roughly 200 employees across offices in Hanoi, the U.S., and Australia, according to a 2023 Forbes interview with Bui.
Qualcomm’s SVP of Engineering, Jilei Hou, emphasized the acquisition as a commitment to AI research and development, stating it would bolster the company’s capacity to deliver advanced AI solutions across sectors.
“This acquisition underscores our commitment to dedicating the necessary resources to R&D that makes us the driving force behind the next wave of AI innovation,” said Jilei Hou, senior vice president of engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By bringing in high-caliber talent from VinAI, we are strengthening our ability to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions that will benefit a wide range of industries and consumers.”
Supported by Vietnamese conglomerate VinGroup, VinAI focuses primarily on AI-driven automotive tech, including in-cabin monitoring, security, and smart parking systems. CEO Hung Bui anticipates VinAI’s expertise will benefit Qualcomm’s software and chip development for smartphones, PCs, and vehicles and will join their team after the acquisition is finalized.
This marks Qualcomm’s second acquisition this year, following its purchase of San Jose-based Edge Impulse, an AI and Internet of Things company, in early March. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has identified edge AI—on-device AI processing—as a significant growth driver for the company.