Apple has purchased the Israeli AI startup Q.ai for nearly $2 billion to enhance its audio technology, particularly in interpreting whispered speech and improving sound quality in noisy settings. This marks Apple's second-largest acquisition, following its purchase of Beats Electronics in 2014. The Q.ai team, including CEO Aviad Maizels, will join Apple as part of the deal.

Apple executives are reportedly in discussions about acquiring the AI startup Perplexity to enhance their artificial intelligence capabilities. The potential acquisition aligns with Apple's strategy to bolster its presence in the AI space amidst growing competition.