Apple Confirms 7 AI Acquisitions in 2025, Signals Openness to Bigger Tech Deals

Apple CEO Tim Cook has officially confirmed what many had speculated: the company has acquired seven AI-focused startups in 2025 so far, as part of its ongoing efforts to boost its artificial intelligence capabilities. This is a notable departure from Apple’s usual acquisition strategy, which historically focuses on small, highly specialized companies. These recent Apple AI acquisitions hint at a more aggressive push into the AI space.

During a post-earnings conference call, Cook told analysts that Apple is open to larger mergers and acquisitions if they help accelerate its AI roadmap. “We’re very open to M&A that accelerates our roadmap,” Cook said. “We are not stuck on a certain size company, although the ones that we have acquired thus far this year are small in nature.” Many analysts believe these Apple AI acquisitions could pave the way for larger, more strategic deals in the near future.

Apple has long been more conservative in its spending, especially compared to rivals like Microsoft and Google. While Microsoft is expected to spend over $100 billion on data centers and AI infrastructure, and Google over $85 billion, Apple’s past investments in the space have been modest. But that appears to be changing fast, as Apple AI acquisitions continue to make headlines.

The iPhone maker has struggled to match the momentum of Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini AI, both of which are already deeply integrated into consumer and business tools. With its recent AI partnerships—most notably with OpenAI for ChatGPT on iOS—Apple is signaling it no longer wants to be left behind. Its focus on Apple AI acquisitions could be key to catching up with competitors.

Apple to Boost Data Center Investments, May Rebuild Safari with AI Search

Alongside its acquisition spree, Apple is also planning to ramp up investments in its own data centers, moving away from its earlier reliance on third-party cloud providers. The goal is to handle AI tasks natively using Apple’s custom-designed chips, while keeping user privacy intact—something that remains a core part of Apple’s brand identity.

One of the more intriguing developments comes in the form of Apple’s plans to revamp its Safari browser. With legal threats looming over Apple’s lucrative deal with Google to be the default search engine on iPhones, the company is now exploring AI-powered search alternatives. According to reports, Apple executives are actively discussing the potential acquisition of Perplexity, an AI startup known for its innovative browser-based AI search technology.

If Apple goes ahead with such a move, it could dramatically shift the mobile search landscape—offering users a native, AI-enhanced browsing experience without relying on Google. Though not yet confirmed, such an acquisition would represent one of Apple’s most aggressive plays in the AI arena.

For a company that’s traditionally taken a cautious approach, Apple’s 2025 moves point to a bold new chapter. With a growing portfolio of AI startups, increased infrastructure spending, and possible browser overhauls, Apple AI acquisitions may become the defining strategy behind the company’s next evolution in the world of artificial intelligence.