OpenAI has acquired Software Applications Inc., a startup developing an AI-powered user interface for Mac desktops, as part of its effort to enhance how artificial intelligence tools manage tasks on a computer. Founded in 2023 by former Apple Inc. employees, some of whom contributed to the technology behind the iPhone’s Shortcuts app, Software Applications focuses on accelerating common functions on Apple devices.
With this acquisition, OpenAI plans to integrate the startup’s technology into ChatGPT and bring on its full team of approximately a dozen employees OpenAI, recently valued at $500 billion in a secondary share sale, has actively pursued acquisitions this year. The company agreed to acquire product testing firm Statsig for $1.1 billion and completed an almost $6.5 billion purchase of an AI device startup co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, both through all-stock deals. Additionally, OpenAI has made several smaller acquisitions to strengthen its ecosystem.
Prior to the acquisition, Software Applications raised $6.5 million from notable investors, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Figma CEO Dylan Field. OpenAI clarified that two other executives, excluding Altman, led the transaction, which received approval from the board’s independent transaction and audit committees.
Earlier this year, Software Applications introduced Sky, an AI assistant designed to help users perform actions and answer questions. The floating interface on the Mac desktop can interpret and understand everything displayed on the screen. Currently, Sky is not publicly available.
Nick Turley, who leads OpenAI’s ChatGPT team, said he was ‘blown away’ when Software Applications CEO Ari Weinstein demonstrated Sky, and he added that the feature ‘brought to life’ concepts that OpenAI had already been exploring.
Turley emphasized the broader vision, stating, “We want to go way beyond responding to your prompts and move into a world where ChatGPT can actually do stuff for you. Being able to act on your local applications is a huge part of that.”
