- Apple has quietly acquired 21 AI startups since 2017.
- After being caught “flat-footed” by ChatGPT, Apple is taking a slow approach to new AI features.
- To avoid missing out in an area it has lagged, Apple is racing to stockpile startups and brainpower.
Apple has quietly acquired 21 AI startups since 2017, the most of any major tech firm, plus embarked on an aggressive hunt for talent – all seeking to catch up in the AI arms race. Analysis suggests Apple is focused on developing on-device AI capabilities rather than cloud-based models.
Powering up Siri into other hardware
The goal is apparently to eventually power a smarter Siri assistant directly integrated into iPhones and other hardware. Apple has also updated devices like its M3 MacBooks and Apple Watch to enable offline AI features.
Job listings point to ramping up “deep learning” hires across health, conversational AI, and other domains.
Next update would be “A big AI reveal”
The hiring spree follows Apple being caught “flat-footed” by ChatGPT’s explosive debut, per insiders.
While rivals rapidly roll out new generative AI services, Apple is taking a slow approach despite the tech’s “huge” potential. Its upcoming iOS 18 could feature the first big AI reveal.
AI poised to transform the industry, Apple is racing to stockpile startups and brainpower to avoid missing out any further in an area it has lagged. Through targeted acquisitions of 21 companies so far, the tech titan aims to infuse on-device smarts across its products.
