Apple is in late-stage talks to snag talent and tech from Prompt AI, a 2023-founded startup specializing in computer vision. The 11-person team’s Seemour app linked to home cameras for smart alerts on people, pets, or objects, plus text summaries and Q&A on footage. Announced in an all-hands on October 10, 2025, the acquihire could fold into Apple’s HomeKit for smarter security and automation. Prompt AI, which raised $5M in seed funding, retired Seemour due to business woes despite solid tech. Co-founders Tete Xiao and Trevor Darrell bring top creds from UC Berkeley and BAIR.
Why This Fits Apple’s Playbook
This small deal skirts big regs, aligning with Apple’s habit of quiet team buys over splashy ones – their biggest was $3B for Beats in 2014. It amps up Apple’s AI push amid delays in Apple Intelligence, potentially juicing Vision Pro and iPhone features. Other bidders like xAI and Neuralink were in the mix, but Apple won out. Non-joining staff get cut pay and a nudge to apply at Apple; investors recoup some but not all.
Who’s Involved and When?
Talks are advanced, but no final word yet – could close soon. Affects Prompt AI’s team globally, with integration eyed for Apple’s home ecosystem.
A Smart Move in AI Arms Race
This bolsters Apple’s edge in ambient AI against rivals, dodging antitrust while scaling smarts – one camera at a time.
