Apple Snaps Up Prompt AI to Strengthen Smart Home and AI Teams [Report]

Apple is snapping up the talent and tech from computer vision startup Prompt AI in an acqui-hire, according to a new report from CNBC. The move is another clear sign that Apple is working to bolster its in-house artificial intelligence teams, especially for its smart home ecosystem.

Prompt's leadership broke the news to its 11-person team this week, telling them that while some would be joining Apple, others would receive a reduced salary while they look for new roles. Elon Musk's xAI and Neuralink were other potential suitors.

The startup's technology is a clear fit for Apple's smart home ambitions. Prompt AI's app, Seemour, uses AI to analyze feeds from security cameras, identifying specific people, pets, or objects and sending text-based alerts. That lines up perfectly with Apple's reported plans to build out its own line of home security cameras to take on competitors like Ring and Nest.


The move marks another volley in the fierce talent war for AI researchers, a battle where Apple has recently lost several key engineers to rivals like Meta. The company has favored these smaller acqui-hires over splashy deals, but that strategy has been blamed by some for its slower progress in the AI race. CEO Tim Cook recently addressed the issue in an all-hands meeting, telling staff that the AI revolution was "ours to grab."

According to the report, Prompt AI's technology was working well, but its business model was not. The Seemour app will be retired, and the company plans to inform users that their data will be deleted. Investors in the startup will reportedly get some money back but "won't be made whole."

Apple, Prompt AI, xAI, and Neuralink did not respond or declined to comment on the matter. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates.