March 26, 2025 – Apple Inc. could be on the verge of a game-changing move in the AI race, as reported by Business Insider yesterday (March 25th). The tech giant is reportedly considering a multibillion-dollar deal to acquire Thinking Machines Lab, founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. This potential acquisition targets a team of over 30 top experts hailing from OpenAI, Meta, and Google DeepMind, specializing in the development of multimodal AI models. If finalized, this would mark Apple’s largest acquisition to date and potentially redefine its AI strategy.
Apple currently employs a hybrid approach of “platform + in-house development,” offering iOS as a runtime environment for cutting-edge AI products while developing proprietary features through Apple Intelligence. However, compared to competitors like Microsoft and Google, which directly provide enterprise-level AI services, Apple has yet to establish a clear technological edge.
Despite appointing AR/VR head Mike Rockwell to overhaul Siri, the virtual assistant’s core reliability issues persist. The latest Apple Intelligence update merely expanded multi-app integration capabilities, failing to address fundamental performance flaws.
Public records indicate that Murati, who left her role as OpenAI’s CTO in September 2024, co-founded Thinking Machines Lab with key former OpenAI members, including former AI safety vice president Lilian Weng. The team boasts frontline experience in generative AI and large language models.
The company focuses on “human-AI collaboration,” developing customizable multimodal systems aimed at bridging the gap in personalized applications and public understanding of AI. According to Business Insider, Thinking Machines Lab is seeking 1billioninfundingata9 billion valuation.
Analysts believe that if Murati’s team successfully commercializes their AI technology, it could not only revolutionize Siri but also open up new revenue streams for Apple, such as enterprise-level AI services.
