Apple’s AI ambitions are heating up, and with Tim Cook signaling openness to big acquisitions, the tech giant may be gearing up for a major move in the AI space. With Siri lagging behind competitors and AI talent poached by rivals, Apple is reportedly considering strategic purchases to accelerate its AI roadmap. Among the top names on the radar: Thinking Machines Lab, the AI startup led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Industry insiders, including venture capitalist Sarah Guo, believe a deal with Thinking Machines could be transformative—potentially reinventing Siri with deeper personalization, memory, and conversational intelligence powered by Apple’s vast user data. While partnerships could pave the way for a future acquisition, the message is clear: Apple is no longer just watching the AI race—it’s ready to join it with a splash. Meanwhile, for those eyeing a career at Meta, the path isn’t just about coding skills. The company values candidates who demonstrate deep product intuition, creativity, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments. Landing a job at Meta often comes down to nailing technical interviews, showcasing impactful projects, and proving you can think like a builder—someone who doesn’t just solve problems, but reimagines them.
Apple is reportedly gearing up for a major move in the AI space, with CEO Tim Cook signaling openness to large-scale acquisitions to accelerate the company’s AI ambitions. After a high-profile appearance at the White House—where he faced the challenges of defending Apple’s interests amid political turbulence—Cook focused on a more pressing mission: catching up in AI, where Apple has lagged behind rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Meta. Siri’s delayed AI update and a steady loss of top AI talent to competitors have put pressure on Apple to act. In a recent earnings call, Cook dropped a clear hint: Apple is open to mergers and acquisitions, regardless of size. “We’re very open to M&A that accelerates our road map. We are not stuck on a certain size company,” he said—suggesting that Apple might pursue a transformative, high-value deal. One startup repeatedly mentioned in conversations with bankers, venture capitalists, and industry analysts is Thinking Machines Lab, led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. According to Sarah Guo, a prominent venture capitalist who has backed several AI startups, acquiring or partnering with Thinking Machines could be a game-changer for Apple. “They have massive threats and opportunities across the Apple experience,” Guo said. The potential to dramatically improve Siri with personalization, memory, and deeper understanding of user behavior—powered by Apple’s vast user data—makes the company a compelling target. However, Guo emphasized that a partnership might be a smarter first step than a full acquisition, allowing Apple to integrate cutting-edge AI capabilities without the risks of a large buyout. Beyond Thinking Machines, Apple’s AI shopping list likely includes other innovative startups focused on generative AI, computer vision, and on-device intelligence. The goal is not just to catch up, but to build a cohesive, privacy-first AI ecosystem that aligns with Apple’s brand. Meanwhile, for those seeking career opportunities in the AI space, Meta remains a top destination. The company is actively hiring across engineering, research, and product roles, especially in areas like large language models, AI safety, and multimodal systems. For job seekers, landing a role at Meta often means demonstrating not just technical prowess, but a strong grasp of real-world AI applications and ethical considerations. For aspiring candidates, building a portfolio of AI projects—especially those that solve tangible problems—can be a powerful differentiator. Contributing to open-source AI tools, publishing research, or even creating a personal AI assistant can help stand out in a competitive market. As the AI race intensifies, both Apple and Meta are making strategic moves—whether through acquisitions, partnerships, or talent recruitment—to secure their positions at the forefront of the next technological wave.