Amber Neely
DarwinAI, a company known for making deep neural networks smaller and more efficient, has been snapped up by Apple prior to the release AI features in iOS 18.
Given its privacy-oriented nature, it is understandable why Apple would want that power on deck. It would allow for more on-device processing, aligning with the company's ethos.
According to Bloomberg, Apple purchased the startup earlier this year, though the deal hasn't been officially announced. Many of DarwinAI's employees have joined Apple's artificial intelligence division.
As a result of the acquisition, Alexander Wong, an AI researcher from the University of Waterloo who contributed to the DarwinAI's development, has signed on as a director in Apple's AI department.
In May 2023, Apple purchased WaveOne, a California-based startup known for developing algorithms for compressing videos.
In June of the same year, Apple acquired Mira, a company that creates augmented reality headsets for other companies — including the US military.
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Given the names, I guess this is the outcome they always wanted to happen.
What better name is on Apple's radar but not enough to require earlier action?
AI= the new machine learning.
AI on the edge (Apples path) is the way to go however only in the first world would Google, and Microsoft think a cloud solution where everyone in theory has access to 24/7 internet/WiFi connection at speed with giant cell towers every mile, note both are weak in hardware and both particularly Google want to collect user data.
The problem with Apple and AI is that they will not take advantage of it the way they should. They are still in this 'Siri mindset' where it's a cute thing to ask a question and get an answer or have AI do some nifty little task on an iPhone.
Apple should really be taking inspiration from something like Devin, and training models to build apps end-to-end in Xcode with no coding knowledge, songs in Logic with no music production knowledge, films in Final Cut Pro X with no filmmaking knowledge.
They are squandering their true advantage (their legacy of powerful, feature-packed professional desktop software that could now be driven by AI if Apple were not so clueless).
Hey Apple: train your AI to use the mouse and cursor on macOS, and on how to use your operating system and entire suite of apps. Either that, or prepare to lose hundreds of billions in value as the tech world passes you by. WAKE UP