Apple buys Israeli startup Q.ai as AI race heats up

Apple, Meta, and Google are in a fierce battle to lead the next generation of AI, and they’ve recently increased their focus on hardware. With its recent acquisition of AI startup Q.ai, Apple is aiming to be on the cutting edge, especially in the voice category.

As he said the first time ReutersApple has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that specializes in imaging and machine learning, specifically technologies that help devices interpret whispered speech and amplify voices in noisy environments. Apple has been adding new AI features to its AirPods, including the ability to translate was introduced last year.

The company has also developed technology that recognizes facial expressions, which could help the tech giant develop the Vision Pro theme.

The Financial Times He said the deal is worth about $2 billion, making it Apple’s second-largest acquisition to date. Beats Electronics $3 billion in 2014.

In particular, this is the second time CEO Aviad Maizels sold the company to Apple. In 2013, he sold PrimeSensea 3D vision company that was instrumental in Apple’s transition from fingerprint sensors to facial recognition on iPhones.

Q.ai was founded in 2022 and is backed by Kleiner Perkins, Gradient Ventures, and others. The founding team, including Maizels and co-founders Yonatan Wexler and Avi Barliya, will join Apple as part of the acquisition.

The news comes just hours before Apple’s first quarterly earnings report analysts estimated cost is about $138 billion. They are also expected to be the strongest in the iPhone sales industry over the next four years.