Apple secretly grows its AI division with acquisition of French AI startup

Apple continues to venture into the realm of artificial intelligence with the acquisition of Datakalab, a Paris-based AI startup, as revealed by French business magazine Challenges. The acquisition, quietly finalized on December 17, 2023, has emerged from the shadows, shedding light on Apple's evolving strategy in the AI landscape.

Datakalab's specialization in data compression and image analysis positions it as a key player in the realm of embedded computer vision, striving for efficiency, affordability, and precision. Founded in 2016, the company boasts a modest yet dynamic workforce ranging between 11 and 50 employees. Apple's strategic move to acquire Datakalab follows its recent acquisition of Canadian AI startup DarwinAI, signaling a concerted effort to bolster its AI capabilities.

While Apple has maintained a veil of secrecy surrounding its AI initiatives, subtle hints have emerged, notably with the launch of the M3 MacBook Air, hailed as the "world's best consumer laptop for AI." Analysts anticipate a more concerted push into AI integration with the preview of iOS 18 and macOS 15 operating systems later this summer, where AI-powered features are expected to permeate across Apple's ecosystem of apps and services.

Apple's strategic approach to market entry is characterized by caution and meticulous planning, often waiting until industry trials and refinements are complete. The release of the Apple Vision Pro following the evolution of virtual reality headsets serves as a testament to this strategy.

Moving forward, speculation abounds regarding Apple's AI ambitions, including the integration of an AI chatbot into Siri and potential updates to apps like Photos and iMovie to enhance photo and video editing capabilities. Reports also suggest Apple's interest in on-device AI chatbot hosting to expedite responses and safeguard user privacy.

As Apple's plans for AI integration unfold, the acquisition of Datakalab represents a strategic milestone in its journey toward harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to enrich user experiences and drive innovation across its product ecosystem.