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Apple Buys Secret AI Firm for Silent Speech Tech
29 Jan
Summary
- Apple acquired secretive Israeli start-up Q.AI for nearly $2 billion.
- Q.AI's technology analyzes facial expressions for 'silent speech'.
- This acquisition boosts Apple's wearable AI capabilities against rivals.

Apple has reportedly acquired the secretive Israeli start-up Q.AI for nearly $2 billion. This significant acquisition is seen as a strategic move to bolster Apple's presence in the competitive AI race, particularly concerning the development of advanced wearable devices. Q.AI specializes in technology that analyzes facial expressions to understand "silent speech," a capability that could revolutionize human-AI interaction.
The four-year-old company's technology, which uses "facial skin micro movements," is envisioned for use in devices like headphones or smart glasses. Such integration would allow users to communicate with AI assistants privately and non-verbally, a significant leap forward from current voice-command systems. This development is crucial as Apple seeks to close the gap with tech giants like Meta, Google, and OpenAI, who are also heavily investing in AI-powered wearables.




