Apple Joins AI Consortium Along With Google, Facebook, Microsoft

Apple is set to join Google, Facebook, and Microsoft in an artificial intelligence research group group dominated by technology industry giants. Apple being admitted into the group could be announced as early as this week, claim sources familiar with the story.

The group was established last year and also includes online retailing giant Amazon and IBM among its members. At the time of the group’s formation Apple was the most notable absentee from the list.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, the company is set to join the group, officially called Partnership on Artificial Intelligence to Benefit People and Society.

The group claims that it has been set-up to “study and formulate best practices on AI technologies, to advance the public’s understanding of AI, and to serve as an open platform for discussion and engagement about AI and its influences on people and society.”

Apple has gradually been embracing AI research more in recent years after falling behind following the aftermath of Siri’s launch. As companies like Google picked up the slack and began using “deep learning” systems to improve everything from translation to its AI assistant Google Now, Apple’s efforts looked more and more dated.

By signing up to a non-profit group, along with other members of the tech community, it represents another step forward in terms of AI openness on Apple’s part.

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