Qualcomm taps Vietnam’s VinAI to power next-gen AI

Building on its recent acquisition of Edge Impulse, a German AI-focused IoT firm, Qualcomm’s VinAI deal strengthens its push to dominate AI-driven innovation across consumer electronics, automotive, and other industries

Expanding its artificial intelligence portfolio, Qualcomm has acquired Movian AI, the generative AI division of Vietnamese research firm VinAI. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, the acquisition marks a significant step in Qualcomm’s continued investment in AI innovation.

VinAI, a subsidiary of the Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, specializes in machine learning and AI research. The company was founded in 2019 and is led by Dr. Hung Bui, a former research scientist at DeepMind. Under his leadership, VinAI has developed cutting-edge AI-powered solutions for automotive applications, including in-cabin monitoring and security systems.

Announcing the acquisition, Jilei Hou, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, emphasized the company's commitment to artificial intelligence advancements. “This acquisition underscores our dedication to investing in AI research and development, reinforcing our position as a driving force behind the next wave of AI innovation,” Hou said in a press release. He further highlighted that integrating talent from VinAI will enhance Qualcomm’s ability to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions across multiple industries.

Dr. Hung Bui, founder and CEO of VinAI, expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, “We are eager to contribute to Qualcomm’s mission of making breakthroughs in AI research and scaling them across industries, including smartphones, PCs, and software-defined vehicles.”

Qualcomm strengthens AI expansion strategy

Movian AI has been at the forefront of generative AI research, notably developing techniques to optimize image generation models using smaller hardware resources. This aligns with Qualcomm’s broader strategy of embedding AI capabilities into edge computing devices, enhancing efficiency across various applications.

The acquisition comes on the heels of another recent AI-focused move by Qualcomm. Last month, the company acquired Edge Impulse, a German firm specializing in AI solutions for IoT devices. These consecutive acquisitions reflect Qualcomm’s ambition to dominate the AI-driven transformation of industries, from consumer electronics to automotive and beyond.

VinAI’s expertise in AI-powered automotive applications, combined with Qualcomm’s expansive hardware and software ecosystem, is expected to accelerate the deployment of advanced AI technologies. By integrating Movian AI’s research and development into its operations, Qualcomm aims to drive innovations that will redefine AI applications in everyday technology.

As AI adoption continues to surge, Qualcomm’s strategic acquisitions signal a broader industry shift toward integrating generative AI capabilities at scale. With its growing AI portfolio, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation computing, setting the stage for more intelligent and efficient AI-driven solutions in the years ahead.