Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, stated that the company is prepared to invest more resources to narrow the gap with competitors in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. This could involve building new data centers or acquiring a larger player in this field, reports Baltimore Chronicle, with reference to Compact.De.
Apple is striving to catch up with competitors like Microsoft and Alphabet (Google), who have already attracted millions of users to their AI-powered chatbots and assistants. While Google plans to spend $85 billion next year, and Microsoft over $100 billion, primarily on expanding their data centers, Apple continues to rely on external providers for part of its cloud computing tasks. Despite its partnership with OpenAI for some iPhone functions, the company focuses on developing its own AI technologies, including improving its virtual assistant Siri.
During a conference call following the release of Apple’s third-quarter financial results, analysts pointed out that the company has traditionally not pursued major acquisitions and asked whether it might apply a different approach to realize its AI ambitions. Cook responded that Apple had already acquired seven small companies this year and is open to more significant acquisitions. “We are very open to mergers and acquisitions that can accelerate the implementation of our plan. We are not limited to companies of a certain size, although those we have acquired this year are small in nature,” said Cook.
Earlier we wrote that Apple and Synchron collaborate on mind-controlled iPhone technology.