Apple has now officially acquired a Canadian artificial intelligence (AI) startup called DarwinAI, as reported by Bloomberg. The iPhone market is now expected to bring more generative AI features to iOS 18 later this year.
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.
Generative AI is currently the buzzword in the tech world. While big names like Microsoft, Google, and Samsung have offered and improved their respective AI offerings, Apple has not even announced anything. At the moment, the perception is that Apple is trailing in AI. Apple’s only statement is when CEO Tim Cook said the company would break new ground in generative AI in 2024.
