Artificial Solutions – AI for interaction

https://kisacoresearch.com/content/kisaco-leadership-chart-intelligent-virtual-assistants-2021

The comparison would have cost $4000, so I didn’t buy it, but I got one page for free by providing my information. In the graph I received, the TOP-3 Leaders and Innovators are Verint, Amelia, and Artificial Solutions, and judging by the size of the bubbles, ASAI is the smallest of these. Other competitors, which are more in the other direction on the XY-axis, are Creative Virtual, Conversica, and [24]7.ai.

4 Likes

The new CEO has rolled up their sleeves; one could assume Q2 2021 will already be positive, as set as a target for H1 2021 in the last interim report:

Artificial Solutions International AB: The Swedish AI company, Artificial Solutions, moves fully to SaaS and initiates restructuring program of sales and services to accelerate growth

Artificial Solutions (http://www.artificialsolutions.com)® (SSME:ASAI (http://www.nasdaqomxnordic.com/aktier/microsite?Instrument=SSE145803&name=Indentive%20B)), the leading specialist in enterprise conversational AI, today announced its new SaaS strategy, re-shaping its market offering to modular conversational AI solutions. The company is also restructuring its organization to better serve the quickly maturing AI market to increase growth and reduce the run rate operating costs net after investments with approximately 35 MSEK on an annual basis.

“Enabling brands to deliver customer experiences as quickly and efficiently as possible is paramount in this digital age,” said Per Ottosson, CEO at Artificial Solutions. “We are adamant in empowering developers with a modern SaaS platform where integrators or brands can realize time-to-value much faster in all our 36 languages and dialects. Our existing customers will benefit from an even faster innovation than before.”

“The changes allow us to revamp our delivery model which enables a streamlining of the organization. As a result, we will require less functions and staff. This has effects in our legacy organization in the UK but also in other countries. This will provide us speed but also reset our cost baseline to approximately 35 MSEK lower cost per year,” said Per Ottosson.

Transformation cost of 6 MSEK is expected in Q4 2020 and Q1 2021. The reduction of the net operating costs will have a positive impact on cash flow from today with full run rate impact from second part of Q1 2021.

As the phases of the COVID-19 pandemic progress, clients across geographies are pressured towards faster digitalization and are now resetting their strategies. With the new SaaS model, customers and partners will be able to:

  • Lower the total cost of ownership of Conversational AI-implementations

Teneo solutions can be built in half the time versus building with current Conversational AI-solutions, and scale much faster.

  • Speed up Conversational AI deployments

Artificial Solutions hybrid language model reduces the need for expensive training data and can enable rapid deployment of multi-language solutions.

  • Enable rapid prototyping and shorter release cycles

Teneo as development platform and conversational engine solves common pain points within Conversational AI, by rapid prototyping and shortening of the release cycles for market leading conversational bots or virtual agents.

  • Improve productivity

Artificial Solutions enables accelerated cloud-based API services. The close engagements with clients such as Skoda and Swisscom have been instrumental in setting the new strategy.

  • Get unique AI Data Insights

Teneo offers the most powerful conversational data insights toolkit available on the market.

  • All new functionality Generally Available today

All new functionality is available as of today both to the benefit of existing customers and customers of other bot platforms.

With the new go to market strategy, Artificial Solutions addresses a larger part of the Conversational AI market, projected to reach USD 16.2 billion by 2024 (Fortune Business Insights).

“Conversational bots and virtual assistants are today widely deployed, with Teneo our customers can add the today dearly needed AI powered customer support services and omni channel deployments,” continued Per Ottosson. “Having a cloud-based Teneo at the core of their deployments, enterprises can get a faster ROI in their existing conversational AI-investments.”

The shift to a SaaS model will require an internal restructuring to better respond to the demand now emerging. Our software delivery model will continuously improve and provide value to all clients at the same time.

Artificial Solutions believes that Teneo is ideally placed to deliver the combination of Conversational AI capabilities and enterprise features that the market demands in the new world learning to live with the impact of Covid-19.

All new functionality is available as of today both to the benefit of existing customers and customers of other bot platforms.

This information is such that Artificial Solutions International AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 3:15 p.m. CET on December 9th, 2020.

3 Likes

Board member ice fishing yesterday, a small amount, about 10,000 euros, but still a good sign.

image

Edit: The CFO also bought 15,000 units yesterday.

Edit2: A bit boring commentary, but more insider buying last week and yesterday

3 Likes

I’ve been thinking a bit about increasing my position, but before that, I’d like to ask what risks you see in the business? My own thoughts are mostly positive:

  • Valuable patent portfolio
  • Business is very likely to become profitable within next year
  • High-margin business (usage revenue) is constantly growing, and EPS along with it quite nicely.
  • Undervaluation, in my opinion, at least reasonable?

Below are a few graphs I quickly sketched to get a sense of the situation. The curves mix percentage variables and other figures, so take them with a grain of salt. Also, I take no responsibility for anyone’s purchases and sales. Also, excerpts from the company’s business reviews.

4 Likes

The numbers are well-drawn if we can get cash flow positive in Q2, then this will surely turn out good. The biggest risk is definitely competition; there are larger players in the industry, but ASAI certainly has good partners and has acquired big and significant clients. The current phase is that the product has been polished, and now sales should start, which is also indicated by the selection of a new sales-oriented CEO.

5 Likes

I posted a bit of a technical analysis perspective to another thread: Kyselyt ja vastaukset firman X tilanteesta TA:n näkökulmasta - #352 käyttäjältä epsie - Sijoittaminen - Inderes forum

Does it spark any thoughts in others? I think there are good ingredients for an ascent.

2 Likes

During the year, the company has issued shares for a total purchase price of 147.3MSEK (135.9 net of transaction costs) through two rights issues, both received during the first semester of the year

Although the Group has experienced revenue growth,it is not yet cash flow positive and has a number of outstanding loans and bonds. In June 2020, Artificial Solutions has agreed a 12-month extension of the 52MSEK bonds previously due for repayment on 5 June 2020. Repayment of the bonds will now be due on 5 June 2021. As also communicated, Artificial Solutions has entered into agreement with existing creditors to extend current credit facilities of 117.4 MSEK due in March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2023.

Can those more familiar with this tell me how the company will manage the repayment of those June debts without a share issue or other arrangement? To my eye, it looks like the forecast for the beginning of the year promises new share issues :sunglasses:

6 Likes

Broker statistics:


Link: Bygg portföljer och bevaka dina aktier, fonder och värdepapper - Di Portfölj

UBS has clearly pushed the share price down with the largest sales volume in the last month. There was some talk/speculation about this on Avanza’s forum as well.

3 Likes

Well, I must have had my eyes closed on Friday, because I was looking at how the first installment of those debts doesn’t mature until 2021, which is next year, and the result should turn profitable this year, so no need to panic. Well, I should probably update my own internal calendar for the new year, since we’re already in 2021 :rofl: Indeed, it might be a tight spot for that, unless the turnaround happens already in Q4, which is unlikely. They’ve already gotten one 12-month extension, and getting another one might be tough, so an offering might indeed be coming. I decided today to move back to the sidelines for now and sold my initial position. Thanks to @Pohjolan_Eka for that message and for helping me move into 2021 myself :slight_smile:

3 Likes

Does the reported result turning into profit actually have any significance? Is this a classic “turnaround” at hand, meaning “profit” is pumped into the black with activations, and money is obtained through share issues and accumulated debt capital.

In itself, a 10% dilution is nothing in my opinion, IF the business genuinely turned profitable. Or am I misunderstanding something? EBITDA still looks quite ugly.

3 Likes

You’re right, so it may not have any significance at this point, unless it’s actually due to positive cash flow, e.g. from those new ICA and Skoda customers, but the phrase “two key customers further increased their commitment” leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

I was indeed a bit out of it on Friday, and due to a slip in thought, I mused that we might be safe from offerings this year. This year, I intend to reduce the riskiness of my portfolio so I don’t get heart palpitations from every price alert :smiley: and in this case, there is a moderate risk of dilution in the short term, so I’d rather take the risk of having to buy in later when the price is higher at this point.

2 Likes

Financial statement out: Investors Relations | Teneo.ai

JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2020

— Order intake* was 44.9 MSEK (62.7)
— Order backlog* amounted to 35.2 MSEK (49.9)
— Net Sales amounted to 53.8 MSEK (49.1)
— Recurring Revenue amounted to 40.4 MSEK (27.1)
— Usage Revenue as % of sales increased to 31% (16)
— Gross Margin as % of sales increased to 66 % (61)
— Adjusted EBITDA was -78.0 MSEK (-112.8)
— Earnings per share amounted to -3.2 SEK (-7.4 SEK)

After a quick read, I couldn’t find any other guidance for the future, except for the opex guidance for 2021 (105 MSEK). Is it hidden somewhere or was it not given at all?

On page 9, a comment on the debt discussed here as well:

As also communicated in connection with the interim
report for the third quarter 2020, Artificial Solutions has
entered into agreement with existing creditors to extend
current credit facilities of 117.4 MSEK due in March 31,
2021 to March 31, 2023. On June 5, 2021, Artificial
Solutions has a 52 MSEK bond that will be due. The
> company has discussions with the bondholders and the
> intention is to extend and refinance the bond.

4 Likes

With the beforementioned steps, it is the board of directors’ expectation that the Group cash requirements have been adequately addressed

I somewhat disagree with the management, and now we are left in suspense until the financing of that loan is clarified. :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

3 Likes

Positive highlights from the earnings report, still need to listen to the webcast:

  • Food industry client Hello Fresh mentioned by name, which many already knew
  • First new SaaS model client SelectQuote, a $4.5 billion company on NYSE
  • Sales organization grown
  • Transparency in pricing
  • Seemingly competent new CEO, though time will tell

I also still doubt the sufficiency of the financing. If one round could be achieved, and even with good terms for old owners, that would be nice. However, it must be remembered that the cost level this year is completely different, as the astonishingly large legal department in the UK was laid off, and there were also other redundancies and sales of country-specific businesses.

This had also gone unnoticed, meaning the new LUIS^Teneo model uses Microsoft’s LUIS: Artificial Solutions launches LUIS^Teneo, a conversational bot runtime & development environment for Microsoft Azure customers - Teneo AI AB

And at the same time, Teneo has become available on Azure Marketplace:

3 Likes

Redeye slightly lowered its fair value range. Uncertainty in the air regarding sufficient funding. Of course, to my eye, the new SaaS model and sales focus sound good.

Link to Redeye update: https://www.redeye.se/research/805381/artificial-solutions-undergoing-fundamental-change

1 Like

Good news today about the collaboration with Microsoft and the stock immediately rose by 12.94%. Has anyone been following the company’s activities lately?

Artificial Solutions International AB: Artificial Solutions Announces IP Partnership with Microsoft for Joint Sales of Teneo

2 Likes

According to an analyst at OxFirst Ltd., the value of AS’s patent portfolio has grown by SEK 200 million and is now estimated to be worth SEK 1.6 billion.

The stock got a small boost from the news:

7 Likes

AI has really been taken to the next level now. Wow… this guy codes and speaks Finnish like Runeberg himself. It can design a program for you in Finnish and even code it for you. And if the first version doesn’t please you, you can tell it how it should be changed!

https://chat.openai.com/chat

1 Like

AI has emerged at a rapid pace over the last few months, and it’s easy to predict that it will be the next hype phenomenon, including in the stock market. As long as AI or something related to it is mentioned, the company’s share price rises and growth multiples hit the roof. ChatGPT provided the necessary boost in this direction, IMO. But… what will the impact of AI be on an individual company’s earnings? Other than margin improvement through the reduction of human labor? A slightly provocative comment, but here’s something to think about:
https://twitter.com/dsmerdon/status/1618819060531347456

6 Likes