Apple has recently acquired DarwinAI, a firm renowned for enhancing the efficiency and compactness of deep neural networks, ahead of unveiling AI enhancements in iOS 18. This move is in line with Apple's privacy-focused approach, aiming to boost on-device processing capabilities.
Reported by Bloomberg, the acquisition took place earlier this year, although it hasn't been officially disclosed. A significant number of DarwinAI's staff have transitioned to Apple's AI team following the acquisition.
Alexander Wong, a notable AI researcher from the University of Waterloo who played a key role in DarwinAI's achievements, has been appointed as a director within Apple's AI division. This acquisition follows Apple's purchase of WaveOne, a startup specializing in video compression algorithms, in May 2023, and Mira, an augmented reality headset developer catering to various clients including the US military, in June 2023.
