In a move to expand its artificial intelligence capabilities, tech giant Apple recently acquired Canada-based AI company DarwinAI earlier this year. The acquisition is part of Apple’s strategy to enhance its AI team, with a focus on inspecting components during the manufacturing process and creating smaller, more efficient AI systems.
Following the acquisition, DarwinAI’s website and social media accounts have been taken offline, indicating that the company’s technology and expertise are now being integrated into Apple’s AI division. Notably, AI researcher Alexander Wong, who played a key role in building DarwinAI, has joined Apple as a director in the AI group.
While Apple has confirmed the acquisition with a standard statement, the company has not disclosed specific details about its plans for DarwinAI’s technology. However, it is known that Apple is working on incorporating AI features into its upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 operating systems to better compete with rivals like Microsoft and Google in the AI market.
One of Apple’s key goals is to integrate generative AI into a range of products, including Siri, Shortcuts, Messages, and Apple Music, in order to rival competitors such as Microsoft’s Bing and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Apple also aims to have AI features run on-device for privacy reasons, aligning with DarwinAI’s focus on creating smaller AI systems.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed confidence in the potential of generative AI, promising to “break new ground” in the field by 2024. Cook believes that generative AI will offer transformative opportunities for users and further solidify Apple’s position as a leader in the AI industry.
