Apple is about to acquire the computer vision AI startup Prompt AI
According to information from the American network CNBC, Apple is close to finalizing the acquisition of the startup Prompt AI, which specializes in computer vision and artificial intelligence.
The company is particularly known for its app Seemour (a play on “see more”), an AI tool that enhances home security cameras by recognizing people, animals, and specific objects, and sending text alerts describing detected unusual activities.
Apple + Prompt AI: A Deal in the Works
During an internal meeting held on Thursday, Prompt AI executives informed employees that a deal with Apple was imminent. According to an audio recording obtained by CNBC, employees who do not join Apple will see their compensation reduced and are encouraged to apply for open positions within the tech giant.
Apple has reportedly outmaneuvered Elon Musk’s companies xAI and Neuralink, which were also interested in the acquisition.
Investors in Prompt AI are expected to receive partial compensation, although they will not recover their initial investments fully. Employees have also been asked not to mention Apple when discussing their professional situation with friends or prospective recruiters.
Promising Technology, Fragile Business Model
The co-founder and CEO of Prompt AI, Tete Xiao, explained that while the company’s technology and the Seemour app function perfectly, the business model was no longer sustainable. As a result, the Seemour app will close, and all user data will be deleted to ensure privacy.
The teams and technologies acquired by Apple are expected to be integrated into the HomeKit division, which focuses on smart home solutions. The app has already been removed from the App Store, confirming the impending acquisition.
A Strategic Small Acquisition for Apple
With just 11 employees, Prompt AI represents a strategic acquisition of key talent in the field of computer vision for Apple. The transaction’s amount remains unknown, but it is unlikely to be substantial: Apple typically avoids massive acquisitions, despite its vast financial resources.
For reference, Apple’s largest acquisition to date was Beats Audio in 2014 for $3 billion. At that time, while Apple was interested in headphones, the primary goal was the Beats Music streaming service, which has since evolved into Apple Music, boasting 108 million paying subscribers in the first quarter of 2025.
An Acquisition to Bridge Apple’s AI Gap
Apple is frequently criticized for its lag in generative artificial intelligence compared to Google, Microsoft, or OpenAI. Its Apple Intelligence program, intended to revolutionize Siri and AI integration within iOS, has been deemed disappointing, with several features postponed.
Among these was the so-called “personal Siri,” capable of understanding the context displayed on the iPhone screen (emails, messages, photos, calendar…), which is not expected to arrive until iOS 26.4 next spring.
Vision Pro: A Technical Success, but a Niche Market
While Apple struggles to impress in the software AI realm, it has made a strong impression with its Vision Pro headset. Priced at €3,999, the product has been lauded for its computer vision capabilities, including object, face, and animal recognition, which are already featured in the iPhone.
The announcement of the potential acquisition has not affected Apple’s stock price; however, the stock dropped $8.77 (-3.45%) following another news story: the United States decided to increase tariffs on imports from China by 100%.
This measure could force Apple to raise prices in the American market, making its products less accessible and driving some consumers toward more affordable Android smartphones.
