Apple has been steadily pouring resources into pursuing advanced intelligence products, and the tech giant reportedly plans to integrate the features into future versions of its iPhones. .
The Cupertino, California-based company has acquired a whopping 21 AI startups since 2017. financial times The report cited data from PitchBook.
More transactions may occur in the future.
“They're preparing to do some major M&A,” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives told the publication. “I would be shocked if they didn't make a big AI-related deal this year, because there's an AI arms race going on and Apple isn't going to be on the outside looking in.”
Additionally, Apple is ramping up its efforts to hire employees with expertise in “deep learning,” which refers to models that power advanced AI systems.
Morgan Stanley analysts said in a research note cited in the article that nearly half of Apple's AI job listings include this phrase.
Insiders reportedly believe Apple is exploring ways to add generative AI capabilities that can run on iPhones and other portable devices rather than through cloud computing networks.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that Apple could announce key details at June's Worldwide Developers Conference, where the company will announce the release of new versions of its mobile operating system, iOS. The company is expected to announce details of its generative AI capabilities.
Analysts say Apple's voice assistant Siri could receive AI-related upgrades.
The Cupertino, California-based company is also “working on developing its own large-scale language models” to counter proposals from technology rivals such as OpenAI and Google, FT reported, citing industry sources. .
The outlet also noted that Apple has released more powerful computing chips for its hardware devices that appear to address greater requirements for AI processing.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Needham analyst Laura Martin said AI development is critical for Apple as it seeks to “protect its installed base” of hardware devices, which still make up the bulk of the company's revenue. He said that there is.
“Apple doesn't want to do what Google and Amazon want to do, which is the backbone of every American company building apps based on large language models,” Martin told the FT.
Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook mentioned the company's efforts during an earnings call last November, saying that Apple is making “significant investments” in AI and developing the technology “responsibly.” He told analysts that there is.
“Research is clearly underway when it comes to generative AI.” Cook said last November.. “I won't go into detail about what it is. You know, we don't really do that. But it's definitely something we're investing in.”
last summer, reported by bloomberg Apple has begun testing “Apple GPT'' as part of its efforts to catch up with other big tech rivals.
Elsewhere, Apple is reportedly in talks with news publishers about potentially licensing articles to help train large-scale language models.
Apple isn't the only tech giant considering developing AI-centric phones.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is collaborating with former Apple design guru Jony Ive to develop AI devices, and has also hired Apple's head of iPhone design to support the effort. It is reported that he was even pulled out.
While Apple is pouring resources into AI, other important projects are reportedly on the back burner for now.
Apple has postponed its self-driving car release date to 2028 at the earliest. reported by bloomberg.
Currently, this vehicle is not expected to be a “self-driving car” but rather an “electric vehicle with more limited functionality.”
