OpenAI acquires Software Applications Inc. and focuses on native AI integration in macOS
OpenAI has made a strategic acquisition: Software Applications Incorporated (SAI), recognized for its work on Sky, an intelligent interface integrated into macOS.
The financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, but it comes alongside the integration of the entire SAI team into OpenAI, as stated in a press release published this Thursday.
A Team from Apple and the Shortcuts Universe
Founded in 2023 by Ari Weinstein, Conrad Kramer, and Kim Beverett—three former Apple employees who contributed to the development of the Shortcuts app—SAI has specialized in creating interfaces capable of understanding on-screen context and executing commands in natural language automatically.
Their flagship project, Sky, already facilitated the automation of tasks on macOS (writing, file management, scheduling, development, etc.) without prior configuration, simply based on text instructions.
The tool aimed to combine the simplicity of Shortcuts with the capability of a modern language model, enabling users to create workflows “on the fly.”
A Deep Integration into ChatGPT and ChatGPT Atlas
In its official announcement, OpenAI expressed its intention to “integrate the precision and contextual understanding of Sky into ChatGPT and its future products,” particularly its new ChatGPT Atlas browser, launched this week.
“The advancements in AI are not solely about making models smarter; they are about making them usable through interfaces that comprehend context and adapt to user intent,” OpenAI remarked in its official statement.
SAI’s expertise in macOS integration could enable OpenAI to evolve ChatGPT into a genuine office agent, capable of not only providing suggestions but also directly interacting with the macOS environment (opening applications, composing emails, organizing files, etc.).
A Step Toward a Universal Assistant
This acquisition aligns with OpenAI’s strategy to expand ChatGPT beyond text-based conversation. Following the acquisition of io, Jony Ive’s hardware-focused startup, OpenAI continues to bolster its expertise in human-computer interfaces.
For many observers, this collaboration could pave the way for a direct integration of ChatGPT into operating systems, similar to Microsoft’s ongoing effort with Copilot on Windows.
“Sky represents a new milestone toward a computer that can understand what you are doing and collaborate with you,” stated Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT at OpenAI.
A Strategic Advantage Against Apple and Google
While Apple gradually rolls out Apple Intelligence and Google promotes its Gemini across Android and ChromeOS, OpenAI aims to position itself as the provider of universal AI: independent of hardware but capable of deeply integrating into existing environments.
The arrival of the Sky team could provide OpenAI with a critical advantage: an intimate knowledge of macOS, Apple APIs, and the design of smooth, natural interfaces—a rare skill set in today’s AI landscape.
A Rapid Consolidation of the AI Market
This acquisition exemplifies a prevailing trend: major players in artificial intelligence are absorbing the most promising startups to accelerate their projects and secure talented personnel.
For OpenAI, this marks another step toward integrated, proactive, and contextual AI, well beyond a simple chatbot.
“We are not just building language models. We are building the interfaces of the future,” declared Fidji Simo, CEO of applications at OpenAI.
