Apple is preparing to buy startup Prompt AI to strengthen its position in computer vision
By ForGeeks
CNBC reports that Apple is in the final stages of talks to buy Prompt AI, a startup specializing in computer vision technology. The company’s main product — the Seemour app. It uses artificial intelligence to improve the performance of home security cameras. The app is able to recognize people, animals and objects, as well as send notifications and text descriptions of unusual events happening in front of the camera.
According to CNBC, Prompt AI executives told employees at an internal meeting that a deal with Apple was in the works. An audio recording of the meeting says that those who don’t join Apple will receive reduced compensation and should apply for the company’s open positions.
It is notable that Ilon Musk’s companies — xAI and Neuralink were also among the bidders for Prompt AI. At the meeting, investors were told that they would receive a portion of the money invested, but not the full amount invested. Employees were advised not to mention Apple when looking for a new job or in conversations with loved ones.
Prompt AI co-founder and CEO Tete Xiao said that the company’s technology and the Seemour app were working steadily, but the business model was not viable. As such, the app will be shut down and user data will be deleted with all privacy norms respected. Prompt AI’s team and technology is expected to be integrated into Apple’s HomeKit division, which is responsible for developing «smart home».
The Seemour app was previously available on the App Store but has now disappeared from the store, indirectly confirming the deal. Prompt AI has just 11 employees, according to CNBC, and Apple is primarily interested in their expertise in AI and computer vision. The amount of the deal was not disclosed.
Apple has traditionally avoided major acquisitions despite its huge financial muscle. The biggest deal in the company’s history was the acquisition of Beats Audio in 2014 for $3 billion. At the time, Apple wasn’t so much interested in the headphone business as in the Beats Music service, which later became Apple Music. The service now has more than 108 million paid subscribers (based on data for the first quarter of 2025).
The company has recently been criticized for lagging behind in the artificial intelligence space. The Apple Intelligence program has so far failed to live up to expectations, and key Siri-related features have been delayed. An improved version of the voice assistant, capable of analyzing the screen and extracting relevant information from email, browser, messages, photos, and calendar, is expected in spring 2026 along with iOS 26.4.
Till then, Apple has managed to impress the industry with the computer vision technology used in the Vision Pro headset. Despite its hefty price tag of $3,499, the device has been recognized for its accuracy and realistic perception of its surroundings. People, animals, and object recognition technology is already being used in the iPhone.
