Apple has added one other AI startup to its acquisition record with Canada-based DarwinAI, which focuses on vision-based tech to look at parts throughout manufacturing to enhance effectivity, Bloomberg reported.
Whereas Apple or DarwinAI haven’t introduced this deal, a number of members of the startup’s workforce joined Apple’s machine studying groups in January, as per their LinkedIn profiles.
DarwinAI had raised over $15 million in funding throughout numerous rounds from buyers together with BDC Capital’s Deep Tech Enterprise Fund, Honeywell Ventures, Apparent Ventures, and Inovia Capital. BDC Capital confirms on its web site that it has acquired an exit from DarwinAI, whereas Apparent Enterprise has up to date its portfolio to replicate that the startup has been acquired.
BDC Capital and Apparent Enterprise didn’t touch upon the story on the time of writing. Apple didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
As Bloomberg famous in its report, other than serving to with manufacturing effectivity, DarwinAI makes use of strategies to make AI fashions smaller and sooner. This could possibly be helpful for on-device generative AI options Apple hopes to introduce in iOS 18 this yr.
Apple has lagged in releasing gen-AI-powered options as in comparison with rivals like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. In February, Tim Prepare dinner mentioned the corporate plans to introduce such options “later this year.”
“We continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort and we’re excited to share the details of our ongoing work in that space later this year,” Prepare dinner mentioned throughout a quarterly earnings name with analysts.
Final yr the Apple prime exec had confirmed funding into gen-AI efforts. Apple’s job listings have steered the corporate is exploring infusing AI in a number of inside and exterior areas together with, Siri, developer instruments, and buyer help.