Apple has announced that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup specialising in artificial intelligence technology for audio, thereby strengthening its capabilities in advanced machine learning.
Although Apple did not disclose the financial terms of the acquisition, Q.ai had backing from prominent venture capital firms, including Matter Venture Partners, Kleiner Perkins, Spark Capital, Exor, and GV, formerly known as Google Ventures. However, reports indicated that the deal value stood at nearly $2 billion.
While Apple did not specify how it plans to deploy Q.ai’s technology, the company confirmed that the startup has developed new machine-learning applications that help devices understand whispered speech and improve audio performance in challenging environments.
Notably, Q.ai filed a patent application last year that focuses on using “facial skin micromovements” to detect mouthed or spoken words, identify individuals, and assess emotions, heart rate, respiration rate, and other physiological indicators.
As part of the transaction, Q.ai’s 100 employees, including Chief Executive Officer Aviad Maizels and co-founders Yonatan Wexler and Avi Barliya, will join Apple, according to statements from both companies.
Importantly, Maizels previously founded PrimeSense, a three-dimensional sensing company that Apple acquired in 2013. That acquisition later enabled Apple to shift from fingerprint sensors to facial recognition technology across its iPhone lineup.
Commenting on the latest acquisition, Maizels said, “Joining Apple opens extraordinary possibilities for pushing boundaries and realizing the full potential of what we’ve created, and we’re thrilled to bring these experiences to people everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Apple has continued to integrate AI-driven features into its hardware portfolio, including AirPods, where it introduced speech-translation technology between languages last year.
Highlighting the strategic value of the deal, Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, said in a statement, “Q.ai is a remarkable company that is pioneering new and creative ways to use imaging and machine learning.” He added, “We’re thrilled to acquire the company, with Aviad at the helm, and are even more excited for what’s to come.”
