- Apple recruits Google AI experts for a secretive lab in Zurich, aiming to develop advanced AI models.
- The team focuses on integrating text and visual inputs for enhanced AI capabilities.
- Despite entering the AI arena later, Apple gears up to introduce AI-powered features in its upcoming iOS 18 update.
Apple has reportedly hired several AI experts from Google to establish a covert research lab in Zurich, Switzerland. The team aims to develop advanced AI models and products, with a focus on text and visual inputs for enhanced results. Since 2018, Apple has poached 36 specialists from Google, coinciding with the recruitment of Google’s John Giannandrea as its top AI executive.
The secretive European laboratory, known as “Vision Lab,” complements Apple’s existing AI efforts based in California and Seattle. Recent acquisitions of AI startups FaceShift and Fashwall have likely influenced Apple’s decision to expand its AI research presence in Zurich. The lab is believed to be exploring technologies akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, aiming to create more sophisticated AI models.
Apple’s recruitment of top ex-Google talent, including Giannandrea and former Google Brain head Bengio, underscores its commitment to AI innovation. Despite entering the AI arena later than competitors, Apple is poised to introduce AI-powered features in its upcoming iOS 18 update, expected to enhance user experiences across various apps and services. The move reflects Apple’s cautious approach to AI development, prioritizing control and user safety in its endeavors.
