- By Vikas Yadav
- Fri, 15 Mar 2024 01:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Apple, a Cupertino-based tech giant, acquired DarwinAI, a Canadian AI firm, this year ahead of rumoured Generative AI enhancements in the next iOS. The company added dozens of staff of the startup to its AI vertical, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported. While the monetary value was not stated, the journalist noted the deal closed earlier this year.
Apple has adopted a relatively cautious approach towards new artificial intelligence-based features across its product line. The company recently introduced AI tweaks in the latest M3 MacBook Air 2024 models. Moreover, the company could bring AI features with the upcoming iOS 18.
Alexander Wong, a researcher at the University of Waterloo who played a pivotal role in building DarwinAI, is reportedly joining Apple as the director of the AI group. The AI startup has a background in making technology to inspect components (visually) in the production process and serve customers across industries.
DarwinAI also focuses on introducing more efficient and smaller AI systems. According to MacRumors, the company's social handles and website are now offline. In a statement, Apple said it "buys smaller technology companies from time to time". However, the company did not share details on plans for AI expansion.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has also teased that the company will 'break new ground' in AI this year. (Image:Unsplash)
Reports have claimed in the past that Apple could take a giant leap in AI with the next iOS and macOS update at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The company is reportedly working on large language models, upgrading Siri and AI enhancements for Messages, Apple Music and more. A recent rumour claims the company is considering on-device processing of data due to privacy concerns. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also teased that the company will "break new ground" in AI this year.
On the other hand, tech companies like Microsoft and Google have been quite vocal when it comes to announcing new AI-powered features across their tech offerings via chatbots and image-generation tools to the public. Plus, Google has also integrated the smallest iteration of Gemini in the Pixel 8 Pro for performing on-device AI tasks.