Former AI pioneer Inflection now targets enterprise tools
Once a frontrunner in cutting-edge AI development, Inflection AI is now focusing on practical tools for businesses, aiming to meet enterprise needs with current technology. The pivot comes after a major deal with Microsoft reshaped the company’s priorities.
Inflection AI, once known for developing top-tier AI models to rival industry leaders, has shifted its focus to practical solutions for businesses. The move follows a significant change in direction after Microsoft acquired much of Inflection’s talent and technology for $650M, including former CEO Mustafa Suleyman. Now led by Sean White, the company is emphasising enterprise tools rather than chasing advancements in AI model architecture.
In the past two months, Inflection has acquired three startups: Jelled.AI for email management, BoostKPI for analytics, and Boundaryless for automation consulting in Europe. These acquisitions aim to strengthen Inflection’s suite of AI-driven tools, catering to the needs of global enterprise customers. White believes current AI technologies are sufficient for most business applications and prefers practical solutions over developing complex next-generation systems.
Inflection also promotes its ability to run AI systems on-premise, offering businesses a more secure alternative to cloud-based solutions from competitors. While it faces stiff competition from companies like Salesforce, Meta, and startups such as Anthropic, Inflection sees its new approach as better aligned with enterprise demands. The company’s pivot highlights the evolving priorities in the competitive AI landscape.
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