OpenAI Acquires Sky: Revolutionizing Mac with AI-Powered Assistance
In an exciting development, OpenAI has announced its acquisition of Software Applications, Inc., the innovative creators behind Sky, an AI-driven natural language interface tailored for Mac users.
The Sky software, which has yet to be publicly launched, aims to seamlessly integrate into daily computer tasks, enhancing productivity in activities such as writing, planning, and coding. Acting like an intelligent assistant, Sky has the capability to observe what’s displayed on your screen and perform various tasks within applications—similar to advanced AI browsers.
This acquisition marks a pivotal advance for OpenAI, signaling an intention to weave its technology into everyday life for both consumers and businesses using Mac systems.
“We’ve long envisioned a world where computers are more intuitive, customizable, and empowering. With the advent of large language models, the opportunity has finally arrived. Sky is designed to provide an AI experience that hovers over your desktop, aiding in creativity and thought processes. We are incredibly excited to partner with OpenAI to expand this vision for millions,” stated Ari Weinstein, co-founder and CEO of Software Applications.
The team behind Sky is not new to the tech scene. Weinstein and co-founder Conrad Kramer previously established Workflow, which Apple later purchased, leading to the development of the Shortcuts feature. Following their tenure at Apple, where they built critical technologies for nearly a decade, they launched Software Applications in August 2023. Joining them is COO Kim Beverett, who has an extensive background in product management with top-tier Apple projects.
While OpenAI is leading the charge with Sky, Apple is also making its strides in the AI domain. The company is gearing up for a major Siri update with advanced AI capabilities expected to roll out next year. Recent features leveraging Apple Intelligence, such as writing aids, live translation, and visual search, have begun making waves. Furthermore, Apple is collaborating with OpenAI to delegate complex queries from Siri to ChatGPT, enhancing the virtual assistant’s functionality.
Apple has also introduced a Foundation Models framework, enabling developers to incorporate AI directly into their applications. However, this paradigm shift toward agentic AI, which takes initiative based on screen observation, might raise privacy concerns among Apple’s loyalty-heavy user base. As agentic AI evolves, companies face pressing challenges related to security, with emerging technologies often attracting scrutiny regarding data safety.
Though the specifics of OpenAI’s acquisition deal remain undisclosed, it is known that Software Applications raised $6.5 million in funding from several prominent investors, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The acquisition process was orchestrated by key figures at OpenAI, including Head of ChatGPT Nick Turley and Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, and received board approval.
As we look to the future, the tech landscape is on the verge of significant transformation with the rise of AI interfaces like Sky, marking a new chapter in how we interact with our devices every day.