Apple Buys Israeli AI Startup That Interprets Facial Movements

A customer holds an iPhone 17 Pro at Apple's Grove store in Los Angeles.

Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg

Apple Inc. has acquired Israel-based artificial intelligence startup Q.ai, which develops technology for reading facial movements and understanding silent communication.

The under-the-radar company was co-founded by Aviad Maizels, one of the creators of a startup Apple acquired a decade ago to develop Face ID. The new technology could help Apple enhance audio products and AI features like Siri.