Apple has acquired Canadian AI startup DarwinAI ahead of iOS 18 generative AI integration. It is hoping to take on Gemini, ChatGPT, etc. in the future.
Apple acquired a Canadian artificial intelligence (AI) startup called DarwinAI earlier this year, as reported by Bloomberg. The news assumes significance given the growing importance of AI in software and the fact that Apple is expected to bring more generative AI features to iOS 18 later this year.
According to the report, DarwinAI is known for developing AI technology that helps visually inspect components during manufacturing. It also specialises in making AI models that are smaller and faster, which is expected to benefit the Cupertino-based tech giant.
The report adds that a dozen DarwinAI employees have been added to Apple’s own AI team, including Alexander Wong, an AI researcher who helped build the startup’s AI technology.
Apple officially acknowledged the acquisition, but it did not offer specific reasons for it.
