Investing.com — Apple Inc. has acquired Israel-based artificial intelligence startup Q.ai, which specializes in technology that reads facial movements and understands silent communication.
The acquisition brings back Aviad Maizels to Apple’s fold, who co-founded Q.ai and was previously involved in a startup Apple purchased about ten years ago that helped develop Face ID.
While Apple did not reveal the purchase price, the Financial Times reported the deal valued Q.ai at nearly $2 billion.
The technology developed by Q.ai analyzes facial muscle movements during speech to interpret silent communication, potentially enhancing Apple’s audio products and AI features like Siri.
Johny Srouji, who leads Apple’s custom silicon chip development and Israeli teams, praised the acquisition in a statement to YNet News, calling Q “an exceptional company, pioneering new and creative ways to use imaging and machine learning technologies.” He added that Apple is “even more excited about what lies ahead.”
Before the acquisition, Q.ai had secured backing from several major investors including Google Ventures, Spark Capital, and Kleiner Perkins, according to the startup’s website.
At the reported $2 billion price tag, the deal also represents Apple’s first ’sizeable’ deal in years. While the company has been active in the M&A market, it primarily targeted technology and talent rather than major acquisitions
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Apple acquires Israeli AI startup Q.ai in first sizeable deal in years