Apple Acquires Artificial Intelligence Startup to Boost Siri

Apple Inc. acquired a U.K. software startup that could give its digital assistant Siri a boost.

VocalIQ, based in Cambridge, England, has built software aimed at making it easier for people to speak to computers in a more natural way, an area in which Siri and other voice-recognition services have struggled. The company has been particularly focused on selling its product to auto manufacturers, including a partnership with General Motors Co., adding to speculation that Apple is developing its own car, according to the Financial Times, which reported the deal earlier.