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Apple has purchased Q.ai, an artificial intelligence startup based in Israel, in a transaction valued at nearly $2 billion, according to a report from the Financial Times. The acquisition ranks among the tech giant’s most significant deals to date.
Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, confirmed the purchase in a statement to Reuters. He described Q.ai as an innovative firm advancing novel applications of imaging and machine learning. Srouji expressed enthusiasm about bringing the company on board under the leadership of CEO Aviad Maizels and anticipated further developments from the integration.
The acquisition brings Q.ai’s founding team to Apple, led by Maizels, who previously sold another Israeli tech firm, PrimeSense, to the company in 2013 for $345 million. That earlier deal involved 3D sensing technology used in products like Microsoft’s Kinect.
Founded in 2022, Q.ai has maintained a low profile, with its website offering only a vague description: “In a world full of noise we craft a new kind of quiet. Magic. Realized.” Patent applications reveal the company’s focus on machine learning tools for processing audio and non-verbal inputs, such as enabling voice commands without sound in loud settings or interpreting subtle facial cues to facilitate silent interactions.
Apple typically avoids detailed announcements about acquisitions, often limiting responses to general comments about acquiring small tech firms periodically. The public acknowledgment in this case underscores the deal’s scale. Apple’s record purchase remains its $3 billion acquisition of Beats Electronics in 2014, positioning Q.ai as the second-largest based on known figures.
Q.ai’s advancements could enhance Apple’s ecosystem, particularly in wearables. Silent input systems might integrate into devices like AirPods, the Apple Watch and Vision Pro. Reports suggest Apple is exploring related projects, including an AI-enabled wearable pin and smart glasses, as well as AirPods equipped with cameras.
