March fifteenth, 2024: Apple has reportedly acquired DarwinAI, a Canada-based startup targeted on synthetic intelligence (AI), in a deal that might considerably enhance the tech large’s AI ambitions.
The acquisition, which happened earlier this yr, has not been formally introduced by Apple, however sources acquainted with the matter have confirmed the event to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
DarwinAI, identified for its experience in growing AI methods to examine parts within the manufacturing course of visually, has additionally seen a lot of its workers be part of Apple’s AI division.
Most notably, the startup’s co-founder and Chief Scientist, Alexander Wong, has been employed as a Director of Machine Studying Analysis at Apple.
The acquisition comes when Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner has emphasised the corporate’s give attention to AI improvement.
In the course of the firm’s quarterly earnings name in February, Prepare dinner revealed that Apple was investing a “great quantity of effort and time” in AI and hinted at the potential for new AI-driven options being unveiled later this yr.
Hypothesis surrounding Apple’s AI plans has been rife, with rumors suggesting the event of a local basis mannequin known as AppleGPT, an enhanced model of Siri that might operate as a chatbot just like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, AI-generated playlists for Apple Music, and AI integration into productiveness apps like Pages and Keynote.
The upcoming iOS 18 replace, anticipated to launch alongside the iPhone 16 sequence, can be rumored to carry a number of new AI options to Apple smartphones.
The acquisition of DarwinAI might play a vital position in Apple’s AI technique, significantly in growing on-device AI fashions and options.
This strategy aligns with Apple’s emphasis on person privateness and safety, as on-device AI processing minimizes the necessity for cloud-based information processing.
As Apple continues to put money into AI and develop its capabilities, integrating DarwinAI’s experience and expertise might result in vital developments within the firm’s services and products.
Whereas the specifics of the acquisition and its implications stay underneath wraps, the tech world eagerly awaits the curtain-raiser of Apple’s AI-driven improvements within the coming months.