Adam Kos Every once in a while, Apple announces an acquisition of another company or startup, which is not unusual. Now, however, new research from Global Data shows that it actually invests heavily in companies interested in artificial intelligence. Apple thus acquired more companies in this segment between 2016 and 2020 than anyone else.
It could be interest you
Benjamin Levicek When it comes to acquiring companies and startups that specialize in AI, Apple is ahead of companies like Accenture (a global company providing professional services and solutions in the field of business strategies, management consulting, digital technologies, technology services, cyber security and business process support), Google, Microsoft and Facebook. In five years, Apple bought exactly 25 companies with this focus, while, for example, Google "only" 14. However, if we add up all the companies that were bought by someone, the number comes out to 60. This shows what the individual technology giants are focusing on.
For a smarter Siri
However, with the overall advancement of technology increasingly relying on artificial intelligence, from virtual assistants to neural engines, this may not come as a complete surprise. When it comes to Apple specifically, most of its acquisitions seem to be related to improving Siri. Whether we like it or not, Siri still has considerable reserves. Not to mention the fact that since its introduction, which took place ten years ago, i.e. in 2011, it still does not speak our mother tongue.
Gallery
Even though this virtual assistant was introduced as the first in the series, the competition in the form of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa has already largely escaped it with its capabilities. The "stupidity" of Siri is probably the reason why Apple does not celebrate sales success with its smart speakers series HomePod. But these acquisitions are not necessarily related to Siri.
Better home and autonomous vehicles
E.g. company Xnor.ai, which Apple bought last year, focused on technology that eliminated the need to send data from devices to the cloud. This clearly improves user privacy as the data is stored locally. Lighthouse AI, on the other hand, dealt with home security cameras, Drive.ai on the contrary, technologies related to autonomous vehicles.
It could be interest you
Amaya Toman Only Apple knows the exact reasons for individual acquisitions. Even if he did not have higher plans for the purchased companies, the purchase itself will ensure that their competitors will not acquire them. In the opposite case, i.e. from the point of view of the purchased company, it may be about obtaining the necessary financial injection to be able to carry out its vision into the final product.
