**Cupertino, CA – October 13, 2025** – Apple is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire the talent and technology of Prompt AI, a computer vision startup, in a strategic move to significantly enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly within its burgeoning smart home ecosystem. The acquisition, largely seen as an "acqui-hire," underscores Apple's commitment to integrating advanced AI into its devices and services, despite recent criticisms about its pace in the competitive AI race. So^[1][2][3]urces indicate that Prompt AI's leadership held an all-hands meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, to inform employees of the pending transaction with the Cupertino tech giant. Thi^[1][4][5]s acquisition is expected to inject specialized expertise into Apple's HomeKit platform and accelerate the development of its rumored proprietary home security camera and a smart doorbell featuring Face ID. ##^[2][6]# A Strategic Acqui-Hire for Advanced Computer Vision Prompt AI, founded in 2023 by AI researchers Tete Xiao and Trevor Darrell from UC Berkeley, specializes in computer vision technology that enables devices to "sense the world." The^{[2][6][5][7][8][3]}ir flagship product, the "Seemour" app, applied AI to home security cameras to: * Detect specific people, pets, and other objects around a household. * ^[1][4][5][3] Send alerts and text-based descriptions of unusual activity. * ^[1][4][5][3] Answer natural language questions about camera footage. Ho^[3]wever, as part of the impending deal, the Seemour app will be discontinued. Users are expected to be notified, and their data will be deleted to ensure privacy protection, aligning with Apple's strong stance on user data security. Thi^[1][4][5][9]s move highlights Apple's focus on integrating the core technology and talent directly into its existing infrastructure rather than continuing Prompt AI's standalone product. ### Apple's Evolving AI Strategy This acquisition aligns with Apple's "privacy-first, on-device-first" AI strategy, which prioritizes innovation that reinforces user trust, security, and seamless integration across its hardware and software ecosystem. Whi^[10][11]le Apple has faced scrutiny for perceived delays in its AI advancements, including the "glacial rollout" of Apple Intelligence and a postponed overhaul of Siri, CEO Tim Cook reiterated in the Q3 2025 earnings call that the company is making "substantial investments" in AI. Coo^[4][12][13]k confirmed that Apple had acquired seven companies in the year to date to accelerate its AI roadmap, emphasizing a focus on quality over being first to market. Th^[12][13]e integration of Prompt AI's capabilities is expected to bolster Apple Intelligence's vision capabilities and enhance features within HomeKit Secure Video, which already offers on-device analysis for recognizing people, pets, and vehicles. Thi^[2][6][12]s could lead to richer automation features for developers, allowing for smarter, privacy-respecting home experiences. ##^[6]# A Growing Trend in Tech: Acqui-Hires The acquisition of Prompt AI by Apple reflects a broader trend in the technology industry where major players are engaging in "acqui-hires" – acquiring a startup primarily for its skilled team and foundational technology, often to circumvent lengthy regulatory scrutiny associated with larger company buyouts. Promp^[1][3]t AI had reportedly struggled to establish a sustainable business model despite its technological prowess, making an acquisition an attractive option. * ^[5]Prompt AI had raised approximately $5-6 million in seed funding from investors including AIX Ventures and Abstract Ventures. * T^{[2][5][14][7]}he terms of Apple's deal remain undisclosed, but executives at Prompt AI indicated that investors would receive some payout, though "won't be made whole." * E^[1][5][9]mployees not transitioning to Apple are expected to receive reduced pay and are encouraged to apply for other open roles within Apple. * I^{[1][2][5][12]}nterestingly, Prompt AI had also garnered interest from other prominent AI ventures, including Elon Musk's xAI and Neuralink, before Apple's offer prevailed. This^{[1][4][2][6][12]} strategic move by Apple positions the company to deepen its AI integration, particularly in areas like smart home security and ambient intelligence. By bringing Prompt AI's specialized computer vision talent and technology in-house, Apple aims to deliver more intelligent, privacy-conscious features to its vast user base, reinforcing its long-term vision for a seamlessly integrated and AI-powered ecosystem.^[6][10]

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