In an attempt to strengthen its hardware and software integration, Apple has acquired Q.ai, a secretive Israeli startup specializing in advanced machine learning for approximately $2 billion (via Financial Times). Srouji, who is originally from Israel himself, praised Q.ai as a “remarkable company” that is finding creative ways to use imaging and machine learning. Founded in 2022, Q.ai has spent most of its short life in “stealth mode,” meaning they kept their projects under wraps. He was the founder of PrimeSense, the company Apple bought over a decade ago for $350 million. This “silent speech” technology could be a game-changer for devices like the Apple Vision Pro or AirPods.