Apple's Move to Acquire AI Startup Brighter AI to Enhance Vision Pro Privacy Features: Report

Apple Inc. is reportedly in talks to acquire Brighter AI, a German-based AI startup renowned for its expertise in handling license plate data and anonymizing faces. According to a report from 9to5Mac, the tech giant intends to utilize this acquisition to bolster the privacy capabilities of its mixed reality (MR) headset, Vision Pro.

The integration of Brighter AI's technology is aimed at addressing concerns regarding the potential capture of identifiable information in public videos and photos by Vision Pro. While such worries are typically absent when using iPhones for recording, Vision Pro's discreet video-capturing capabilities could raise privacy issues. This technology may also find applications in upcoming devices focused on making photo and video capture less conspicuous.

Brighter AI's advanced AI solutions stand out for their ability to effectively erase data traces without compromising image quality, making the acquisition particularly appealing to Apple. Their method ensures that subjects retain their natural appearance while remaining unidentifiable, as highlighted in the report.

In essence, Brighter AI's expertise lies in transforming images to render subjects unrecognizable while preserving their inherent features. This strategic acquisition comes as Apple recently launched Vision Pro in the US, with pricing starting at $3,500. The tech giant has also announced a plethora of apps and games tailored for the Vision Pro headset, showcasing its commitment to immersive technology innovation.