Apple has made a series of strategic acquisitions, including staff hires from AI startups to bolster its AI capabilities across various product lines.
Stats from Stocklytics.com show Apple purchased up to 32 AI startups by 2023 – the highest number among tech giants.
In the overall AI startup acquisition, Google trails Apple with 21, Meta with 18, and Microsoft lags with 17.
Stocklytics financial analyst Edith Reads said: “In the ongoing AI arms race, Apple is making sizeable deals with many AI startups, putting it in a good spot for future tech developments even as its competitors, by acquiring promising AI startups, Apple gains access to top-tier talent and innovative technologies and consolidates its foothold in crucial AI domains, ensuring a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Apple is acknowledged as being ‘quite subtle’ in increasing its AI capabilities. It has yet to unveil its plans with the newly found insight into AI technology.
CEO Tim Cook has remarked on how the company is directing its energy into research on AI but nothing to hold onto in terms of new developments.
Apple’s acquisition strategy is said to reflect a multifaceted approach to AI advancement, encompassing talent acquisition, technology integration and intellectual property expansion.
One notable aspect of Apple’s acquisition spree is its emphasis on acquiring early-stage startups, indicating a proactive strategy to identify and invest in emerging AI trends and technologies before they reach mainstream adoption.
