Acquisition delivers an end to end data offering
Appen Limited, a global leader in the provision of high-quality, human-annotated datasets for machine learning and AI, has announced that it has acquired Figure Eight Technologies, a provider of a machine learning platform that uses automated annotation tools to transform unstructured text, image, audio, and video data into customized AI training data. The acquisition combines the scale, quality, and language expertise of Appen’s leading global crowd with Figure Eight’s innovative data annotation platform to create a unique, end-to-end training data offering. Moreover, the unified business will be strongly positioned to deliver the increasing volume, quality and speed requirements for training data to support machine learning and AI. Lukas Biewald, Co-Founder of Figure Eight, stated, “We’re very excited to be joining Appen.” Further, he added “I’m extremely proud of the team. This is a genuine validation of everything we’ve achieved and a great platform for our teams to combine and continue to do amazing things in AI.” Figure Eight’s experienced team and powerful technology will be integral to Appen’s future success.
Transforming data sets into annotation tools
Figure Eight empowers Appen to develop the flourishing automated cars market because it transforms unstructured data into relevant search results for its customers. The process begins with Appen gathering various types of data of the relevant location for automated driving. Along with that, Figure Eight’s machine learning software has an interface which allows customers to design and build the unstructured data with the help of various tools. Figure Eight will operate independently as a division of Appen to ensure it remains focused on its product development and customers.
Mark Brayan, Appen’s Chief Executive Officer stated, “The union of Appen and Figure Eight creates a unique, exciting and powerful opportunity for our customers”. Moreover, he added, “We now have the best of both worlds: our highly efficient cloud management platform and scalable, skillful multilingual crowd, combined with Figure Eight’s innovative customer-facing SaaS platform with ML-assisted annotation. Combined, we’ll meet and exceed our customers’ scale, speed, and quality requirements.”
