Microsoft: Nuance issue finally closed

Microsoft: Nuance issue finally closed

Boston, Mar. 6, 2022

Microsoft has completed its acquisition of AI speech technology specialist Nuance Communications for $19.7 billion. Boston-based Nuance’s speech technology was used in the development of Apple’s Siri. The acquisition combines Nuance’s conversational AI and ambient intelligence with Microsoft’s cloud offering.

The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority approved the acquisition, which faced regulatory hurdles and a longer-than-expected timeline. The authority concluded that the acquisition does not offer a „realistic prospect of a significant lessening of competition.“

It follows approvals from the EU, U.S. and Australia last year.

Microsoft said the acquisition will allow the company to develop more cloud computing and AI offerings in healthcare, finance and customer service.
Cloud + AI head Scott Guthrie will lead Nuance as part of Microsoft.

The acquisition is Microsoft’s largest after buying LinkedIn for $26 billion in 2016, while its pending $69 billion acquisition of Activision/Blizzard is still in the approval process.