Every so often, Apple goes shopping for businesses or technologies it believes will be useful down the road.
The company acquired Canada-based DarwinAI earlier this year as part of an effort to build out its AI team. DarwinAI created AI technology for inspecting components during the manufacturing process, and it also had a focus on making smaller and more efficient AI systems.
According to Bloomberg, DarwinAI’s website and social media accounts were taken offline following Apple’s purchase of the company, and dozens of former DarwinAI employees have joined Apple’s AI division. AI researcher Alexander Wong, who helped build DarwinAI, is now a director in Apple’s AI group.
Apple recently confirmed the acquisition with the statement that it typically gives when questioned about purchases. “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time” but does not discuss its purpose or plans.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has promised that Apple will “break new ground” in generative AI in 2024. “We believe it will unlock transformative opportunities for our users,” said Cook.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.