Apple acquired Canada-based firm DarwinAI earlier this yr to construct out its AI group, studies Bloomberg. DarwinAI created AI expertise for inspecting elements through the manufacturing course of, and it additionally had a give attention to making smaller and extra environment friendly AI techniques.
DarwinAI’s web site and social media accounts have been taken offline following Apple’s buy. Dozens of former DarwinAI firms have now joined Apple’s synthetic intelligence division. AI researcher Alexander Wong, who helped construct DarwinAI, is now a director in Apple’s AI group.
Apple confirmed the acquisition with the assertion that it sometimes provides when questioned about purchases. “Apple buys smaller expertise firms once in a while” however doesn’t focus on its function or plans.
In an effort to meet up with Microsoft, Google, and others within the AI market, Apple is working exhausting to construct synthetic intelligence options for its next-generation iOS 18 and macOS 15 working techniques.
If Apple desires to have the ability to rival Microsoft’s Bing, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and different generative AI choices, it might want to combine generative AI into a spread of merchandise. Apple is testing giant language fashions, and AI options are mentioned to be coming to Siri, Shortcuts, Messages, Apple Music, and extra.
Apple is aiming to have AI options run on-device for privateness causes, and DarwinAI’s efforts to make smaller AI techniques might be of use to additional that endeavor.
Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner has promised that Apple will “break new floor” in generative AI in 2024. “We imagine it’ll unlock transformative alternatives for our customers,” mentioned Prepare dinner.
