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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.
This acquisition marks one of Apple's largest in its history, underscoring the company's commitment to cutting-edge AI and computer vision. Q.AI was founded in Tel Aviv in 2022 by Aviad Maizels, Yonatan Wexler, and Avi Barliya, with some team members having prior experience at PrimeSense, another Israeli start-up acquired by Apple in 2013 that contributed to FaceID technology. The move comes at a time when investors have expressed concerns about Apple's position in the AI landscape, especially following delays in its Siri assistant upgrades.
