Apple has acquired DarwinAI, a Paris-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) compression and computer vision technology. The deal, finalized in December, represents a significant investment for Apple as it seeks to enhance its AI capabilities across its products and services.
DarwinAI’s expertise in low-power, runtime-efficient, and deep learning algorithms will contribute to Apple’s development of on-device AI features. The startup holds multiple patents related to AI compression and vision technology, further strengthening Apple’s portfolio in these areas.
While the founders of DarwinAI will not join Apple, several of the startup’s employees have made the transition. This acquisition aligns with Apple’s plans to introduce a range of AI features in its upcoming iOS 18 update, providing users with enhanced offline and on-device AI experiences.
Furthermore, DarwinAI’s advanced facial recognition technology is expected to contribute to improvements in Apple’s Photos app and Face ID capabilities. The acquisition is also seen as a step towards the further development of Apple’s Vision Pro platform, launched earlier this year.
