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Apple’s AI Chessboard: A Strategic Introduction
In a world increasingly defined by artificial intelligence, Apple is quietly laying the groundwork for its next big leap. While the tech giant has traditionally taken a cautious approach to acquisitions, recent moves suggest a growing urgency to catch up with rivals like Google and Microsoft in the AI arms race. Following rumors of internal talks about acquiring the AI-powered search startup Perplexity, a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reveals that Apple also held early discussions with a far more intriguing figure — Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI and now founder of Thinking Machines Lab.
This article explores Apple’s exploratory conversations with Murati, her tumultuous exit from OpenAI, and the \$10 billion startup she now leads. More than just business rumors, these developments reflect deeper trends in the AI landscape — from power struggles inside the most influential research labs to a frenzy of investment in unproven but highly ambitious startups. Let’s break it all down.
Mira Murati, OpenAI Drama & Apple’s Missed Opportunity
Apple’s interest in Mira Murati
Though she initially supported Altman’s removal, Murati quickly reversed her stance and threatened to resign unless he was reinstated. The move signaled not just the collapse of the attempted coup, but also a wake-up call about the internal fragility at one of the world’s leading AI labs.
Months later, Murati left OpenAI and launched her own startup — Thinking Machines Lab. Despite having no product to show yet, the company raised a record-breaking \$2 billion seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz, valuing it at \$10 billion. This speaks volumes about investor confidence in Murati’s leadership and the hunger for next-gen AI platforms.
The company’s mission? To democratize access to AI tools, bridging the gap between frontier AI systems and the everyday user. According to their manifesto, Thinking Machines Lab aims to build customizable, understandable AI tools that empower users to shape AI to fit their specific needs and values — a sharp contrast to the closed nature of current big tech models.
Apple reportedly met with Murati earlier in 2025 to discuss a potential acquisition, but the talks didn’t progress. This differs from Apple’s ongoing interest in Perplexity, a company that, while offering a functional AI product, carries its own baggage of data collection controversies and legal scrutiny.
🔍 What Undercode Say:
Apple’s approach reveals a strategic but calculated move toward AI dominance. The tech giant is not rushing into splashy deals. Instead, it’s carefully vetting startups that align with its brand ethos of privacy, innovation, and long-term value. Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab is an ideal philosophical fit — it emphasizes transparency, customization, and user empowerment, aligning well with Apple’s image.
However, Apple’s hesitation might come down to timing and risk. Thinking Machines Lab, while visionary, is still in its infancy. It has no product, only potential. Apple prefers proven solutions with practical applications — a strategy that has helped it avoid the pitfalls that come with early, speculative bets.
By contrast, Perplexity has a working AI product but comes with cultural and legal baggage. Apple’s deeper hesitation here could signal its discomfort with data privacy risks and public perception. Moreover, the reference to other startups like Ilya Sutskever’s Safe SuperIntelligence and the French firm Mistral shows Apple’s broad interest in scouting talent and technology — not locking into a single option.
Ultimately, this strategy hints at Apple assembling a “portfolio” of possible future collaborators — carefully watching how each one evolves before making bold moves. In today’s AI gold rush, this cautious optimism might be its greatest strength.
✅ Fact Checker Results:
✅ Confirmed: Apple met with Mira Murati to discuss a possible acquisition.
✅ Confirmed: Thinking Machines Lab raised \$2 billion in seed funding at a \$10B valuation.
✅ Confirmed: Murati was briefly interim CEO during Sam Altman’s removal from OpenAI.
🔮 Prediction:
Apple will likely avoid early-stage acquisitions unless a startup shows both technological innovation and strong alignment with Apple’s values — privacy, control, and user trust. Thinking Machines Lab, while not yet mature, may become a front-runner in a few years, especially if it delivers on its promise of user-friendly, customizable AI systems. Expect Apple to keep watching — and waiting — before making its next move.
References:
Reported By: 9to5mac.com
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