Does Apple have bigger plans for AI/machine learning? We know that the company’s rivals such as Google are heavily invested in the technology, especially considering the launch of Google Assistant, an AI that learns more about you the more you use it. That being said, it certainly sounds like Apple is interested.According to a report from GeekWire, they have learnt that Apple has recently acquired machine learning AI startup Turi. In a statement provided to GeekWire, the company gave a rather boilerplate response which reads, “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”
GeekWire’s sources have also told them that the deal is said to be worth around $200 million. Following the acquisition, Turi is expected to remain in Seattle, meaning that it sounds like Apple plans on keeping them intact as opposed to shutting them down and just keeping their technology and some key personnel.
This isn’t the first machine learning AI company that Apple has acquired. According to TechCrunch, back in 2015 Apple acquired Perceptio, a company that specializes in machine learning and image recognition. It is unclear yet as to what Apple has planned for Turi, but given what Apple’s rivals have done with Google Now, Google Assistant, Cortana, and etc., it is possible that Apple might be trying to improve its efforts with Siri, but we guess only time will tell.
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