Apple has reportedly acquired DarwinAI, a prominent Canadian AI startup specializing in natural language processing and computer vision applications. Apple has already begun allocating much of DarwinAI’s engineers to the Cupertino company’s AI division after the acquisition was finalized earlier this year, according to Bloomberg.

The report adds that DarwinAI implemented AI-powered features across many sectors, including manufacturing, before the acquisition. However, DarwinAI’s area of expertise appears to be making artificial intelligence models smaller while running more efficiently. Apple is said to be interested in developing on-device Large Language Models (LLMs) that could power future AI capabilities, and DarwinAI’s experience could help with the effort.

Apple confirmed the purchase of DarwinAI with the typical statement it gives out when acquiring smaller companies, stating that “it buys smaller technology companies from time to time” while refusing to discuss future plans. DarwinAI’s online presence has been shut down following the acquisition as its website and social media accounts are no longer accessible.

Alexander Wong, one of DarwinAI’s founders and a prominent AI researcher, now serves as a director in one of Apple’s AI groups. DarwinAI’s customer rosters in the past have included big players like Lockheed Martin and Intel. The acquisition is part of Apple’s focus to push generative AI features across the board as the technology continues to sweep the industry.

Apple has big AI plans with the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 updates, which should be a few months away as WWDC 2024 edges closer. Tim Cook has continuously teased Apple’s AI plans whenever possible, stating that it will “break new ground” in generative AI sometime this year. Cook also acknowledged that Apple is investing a substantial amount of money in AI research.

The company plans to incorporate generative AI features across the board that could span Siri, Messages, Spotlight Search, Apple Music, Xcode, and more. iOS 18 is also said to introduce considerable UI design changes across the board, with these changes said to make the update one of the biggest in iPhone’s history. The company could also be looking to develop hardware-exclusive AI features for the iPhone 16 and future devices that could further incentivize users to upgrade.