Apple Welcomes AI Acquisitions to Speed Up Advancement, States Tim Cook
### Apple’s Strategy on AI Acquisitions: A Change in Viewpoint
Whenever conversations emerge about Apple’s prospective acquisitions to bolster its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, a typical sentiment is that “Apple doesn’t pursue large companies like that.” Nevertheless, during the recent Q3 2025 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared insights that point to a more adaptable stance regarding mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the realm of AI.
#### If the Tech Fits, What’s the Concern?
In reply to a question from Citi analyst Atif Malik on the importance of Apple speeding up its AI roadmap, Cook recognized that the company has undertaken seven acquisitions this year, although not all were AI-focused. He stressed that Apple is receptive to M&A opportunities that can fast-track its technological progress, stating:
> “We’re very open to M&A that accelerates our roadmap. We’re not confined to a specific company size. (…) we essentially evaluate whether a company can assist us in speeding up our roadmap. If so, then we are interested. But we don’t have anything to disclose specifically today.”
This statement represents a significant departure from Apple’s customary position on acquisitions, which has typically preferred smaller firms.
#### Latest Acquisition Discussions
Cook’s comments coincide with reports from Bloomberg suggesting that Apple engaged in internal dialogues about acquiring Perplexity, an AI search startup that recently garnered $1 billion in funding, elevating its valuation to over $18 billion. Such an acquisition would not only become Apple’s largest to date, eclipsing the $3 billion Beats deal, but it could also surpass the total valuation of all prior acquisitions combined.
Nonetheless, financial analysts, including those from Morgan Stanley, have warned against the assumption that Apple needs to obtain an AI search engine, deeming it as “misguided.” This underscores the ongoing discussion among the investment community regarding the necessity and strategic importance of such a substantial acquisition.
#### A Fresh Roadmap for Apple
Cook’s remarks indicate a readiness to reevaluate the size and scale of prospective acquisitions, especially if they align with Apple’s strategic ambitions in AI. This opens opportunities for smaller firms with groundbreaking technologies that could assist Apple in addressing its current gaps in the AI sphere.
As Apple continues to maneuver through the competitive tech landscape, the focus on acquiring the appropriate technology, irrespective of the company’s size, may herald a new chapter for the tech titan. If the technology is suitable, Apple might be willing to invest considerably to enhance its capabilities and preserve its competitive advantage in the swiftly changing AI domain.
In conclusion, while Apple has traditionally been cautious concerning massive acquisitions, Tim Cook’s recent comments suggest a potential strategic change that could transform the company’s approach to AI and technological innovation in the future.
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