Apple has acquired an Israel-based AI startup called Q.ai, according to a new report from the Financial Times. The report says the deal is valued at close to $2 billion, making it one of Apple’s largest acquisitions ever.
In a statement to Reuters, Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, said:
“[Q.ai] is a remarkable company that is pioneering new and creative ways to use imaging and machine learning. We’re thrilled to acquire the company, with Aviad at the helm, and are even more excited for what’s to come.”
Reuters reports that Q.ai’s founding team will join Apple, including CEO Aviad Maizels. If that name sounds familiar it’s because this is the second company Maizels has sold to Apple, following a deal for PrimeSense in 2013 for $345 million.
Q.ai is a startup developing a technology to analyze facial expressions and other ways for communication. The company has largely operated in secret since being founded in 2022. Its website simply says: “In a world full of noise we craft a new kind of quiet. Magic. Realized.”
Based on patent filings, Q.ai has built machine-learning tech for audio and “silent” voice input, including systems designed to understand to improve communication in noisy or difficult environments. The company has also researched tech that interprets micro facial movements and expressions to communicate without making audible sound.
Outside of Srouji’s statement, Apple hasn’t commented on its acquisition of Q.ai. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s exceedingly rare for Apple to confirm an acquisition like this. Generally, the company only responds by saying it “buys smaller technology companies from time to time.”
The direct confirmation of the Q.ai deal from Apple is likely an effect of the magnitude of the purchase. Apple’s largest acquisition ever was Beats for $3 billion in 2014. Based on publicly-available information, this acquisition of Q.ai is Apple’s second largest acquisition ever.
There are countless ways Apple can incorporate Q.ai’s technology into its products. A “silent” voice input system could have implications for Apple’s wearables including AirPods, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. Apple is reportedly working on an AI pin of some sort, alongside smart glasses and AirPods with built-in cameras.
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