Apple Secures Huxe AI Talent and Tech in Reverse Acqui-hire
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The tech giant is integrating intellectual property from a personalized audio startup, signaling a push into AI-driven audio experiences.
Apple has entered into an agreement to license technology and hire staff from Huxe, a startup specializing in personalized audio. According to TechCrunch, the move was disclosed in a regulatory filing to the European Commission, where Apple stated it would offer employment to "certain employees of Huxe AI" and obtain a non-exclusive license for the company's intellectual property.
This arrangement is described by TechCrunch as a "reverse acqui-hire," a strategy often used by large corporations to acquire AI expertise and technology while potentially avoiding the antitrust scrutiny associated with full acquisitions. The Huxe team consisted of developers who previously worked on AI-generated podcast features for Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM).
Huxe had previously announced its shutdown on May 21, stating it would delete user data and remove its application from the Google and Apple stores. Apple notified the European Commission of the deal on June 9, shortly after Huxe's closure.
While Apple has not disclosed specific plans for the technology, TechCrunch notes that the move follows Spotify's unveiling of AI-powered podcast generation features. The deal suggests Apple may be looking to integrate similar personalized audio functionality into its own ecosystem, though the filing does not specify which employees were offered roles or if those offers were accepted.