Uber Boosts AI Business by Buying Segments.ai

Uber Technologies has acquired Segments.ai, a startup based in Belgium. An Uber spokesperson declined to comment on the deal size. The US Securities and Exchange Commission does not require financial disclosures on acquisitions if the amount is not significant.

The purchase is intended to expand Uber’s burgeoning business segment focused on data labeling.

• Segments.ai specializes in labeling the essential training data needed for autonomous driving technology. This data is collected from cameras and sensors found in vehicles ranging from cars to drones.
• Segments.ai was financially successful prior to the acquisition, being cash-flow positive. Its founders and staff are joining Uber AI Solutions, which is Uber's dedicated data-labeling unit.
• Uber is considered a newcomer to the competitive AI training and data labeling space. The experience and customer base of Segments.ai will help Uber compete better against established rivals, such as Scale AI, which is backed by Meta Platforms Inc..
• Uber is specifically "doubling down" on its multi-sensor data annotation capabilities, including lidar (light detection and ranging) technology. Segments.ai brings deep expertise and solid experience in specialized lidar annotation tools.
• While Uber’s labeling efforts originally served its in-house rideshare and delivery core business, the company began pitching these services to other enterprises over the past year.
• Uber outsources these tasks—including annotation, translation, and editing—to freelancers with expertise in fields like coding, finance, law, science, and linguistics, operating across 30 countries.
• Uber’s new unit is actively marketing these AI labeling services globally at conferences. The company currently reports having more than 50 clients, including major companies like Niantic Inc. and Aurora Innovation Inc..