Apple has just sealed a massive deal to supercharge its AI push: the company has acquired Israeli stealth startup Q.ai for a reported nearly $2 billion (though some sources like Reuters peg it closer to $1.6 billion based on insiders). This makes it Apple’s second-largest acquisition ever, right behind the $3 billion Beats buy in 2014.
Apple confirmed the move but stayed quiet on the exact price. The entire Q.ai team—around 100 people, led by CEO Aviad Maizels and co-founders Yonatan Wexler and Avi Barliya—now joins Apple’s hardware technologies group. Fun fact: this is Maizels’ second big exit to Apple. He previously founded PrimeSense, whose 3D sensing tech Apple scooped up in 2013 and turned into the backbone of Face ID and TrueDepth cameras.
Q.ai’s secret sauce? Advanced AI and machine learning focused on audio and human communication, especially in tough real-world scenarios. Key breakthroughs from patents and reports include:
- Detecting silent or mouthed speech by analyzing tiny facial skin micromovements (think lip-reading on steroids, without any sound)
- Picking up whispered words clearly
- Enhancing audio in super-noisy environments
- Reading emotional cues, heart rate, respiration, and even identifying people via subtle facial signals
This tech screams potential for Apple’s ecosystem—especially wearables like AirPods (smarter adaptive noise cancellation, live translation, or even “silent commands” where you mouth instructions to Siri privately). It could also boost accessibility, privacy (all on-device processing), and future devices like AR glasses or next-gen iPhones that understand you without you saying a word out loud.
Johny Srouji, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Technologies, summed it up: “Q.ai is a remarkable company pioneering new and creative ways to use imaging and machine learning. We’re thrilled to acquire the company, with Aviad at the helm, and are even more excited for what’s to come.”
Why the big spend? Apple has been hustling to catch up in generative AI against Google and Microsoft, with Apple Intelligence features and Siri upgrades hitting some bumps and delays. This acquisition is a clear signal: Apple wants hardware-first, privacy-centric AI baked right into its devices, not just cloud-heavy stuff. Q.ai’s focus on on-device audio smarts fits perfectly.
The startup launched in 2022 and pulled in backing from heavy hitters like GV (Google Ventures), Kleiner Perkins, Spark Capital, Matter Venture Partners, and Exor—adding serious cred to Apple’s growing AI talent pool.
In short, this isn’t just another small pickup—it’s a bold step toward making Apple devices feel even more intuitive and effortless. Expect ripples in upcoming AirPods, iPhones, or whatever wearable magic Apple cooks up next. The future of “talking” to your tech might get a lot quieter and a lot smarter.
Resources:
Reuters—Apple acquires Israeli audio AI startup Q.ai
Financial Times—Apple buys Israeli start-up Q.AI for close to $2bn in race to build AI devices
