Microsoft buys AI firm Genee to support Office 365

In a bid to boost Office 365’s productivity suite, Microsoft has bought artificial intelligence (AI) business Genee.

Currently, Genee’s product offers an intelligence-driven power scheduling tool that helps users find slots in their diary for meetings, calls and similar events without them having to consult their calendars manually.

The service, which also allows users to check their schedule for the day without having to consult a calendar and set up reminders, works via email, text message, Twitter, private messaging and Facebook Messenger.

Rajesh Jha, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Outlook and Office 365, said in a blog post announcing the deal: “As we continue to build new Office 365 productivity capabilities and services our customers value, I’m confident the Genee team will help us further our ambition to bring intelligence into every digital experience,”