Absolutely all technology leaders are developing the direction of artificial intelligence on peripheral devices. Gadgets need to stay "smart" without massive cloud traffic. This is a war for the future, in which it is reasonable to rely not only on yourself, but also to buy ready-made. Apple made another move in this race by buying AI startup Xnor.ai.
According to Apple recently acquired Xnor.ai, which specializes in building AI software platforms for low-power standalone solutions, including smartphones. So, for example, the site GeekWire An image in which the Xnor.ai recognition system on an Apple smartphone is busy analyzing objects in the image. This allows you to think about the goals that Apple intends for itself by buying Xnor.ai.
Apple does not officially confirm the purchase of a startup, which is not unusual. The company does not disclose its plans to take over smaller companies, hiding actions in this direction and the cost of purchases, if any, will be attributed to it. According to rumors, Apple paid up to $200 million for Xnor.ai. for a similar amount, Apple bought another startup of a similar focus - Turi. Both startups, by the way, are from Seattle, which indicates the strengthening of Apple's position in this city.
Xnor.ai is a spin-off from the Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2), created by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. If the leaks are to be believed, Amazon, Intel, and Microsoft were also in talks to buy Xnor.ai. As a result of the negotiations, the rate and terms of Apple's acquisition became the most attractive for Xnor.ai. The startup is currently adapting machine learning models to edge devices, including smartphones and in-car computers, with close involvement from Apple and its competitors Google, Facebook and other companies large and small.
Source: 3dnews.ru