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.<\/p>\n
The acquisition brings back Aviad Maizels to Apple\u2019s fold, who co-founded Q.ai and was previously involved in a startup Apple purchased about ten years ago that helped develop Face ID.<\/p>\n
While Apple did not reveal the purchase price, the Financial Times reported the deal valued Q.ai at nearly $2 billion.<\/p>\n
The technology developed by Q.ai analyzes facial muscle movements during speech to interpret silent communication, potentially enhancing Apple\u2019s audio products and AI features like Siri.<\/p>\n
Johny Srouji, who leads Apple\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n
Before the acquisition, Q.ai had secured backing from several major investors including Google Ventures, Spark Capital, and Kleiner Perkins, according to the startup\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
At the reported $2 billion price tag, the deal also represents Apple\u2019s first \u2019sizeable\u2019 deal in years. While the company has been active in the M&A market, it primarily targeted technology and talent rather than major acquisitions<\/p>\n
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