Exclusive: Apple acquires Turi in major exit for Seattle-based machine learning and AI startup

Machine learning and artificial intelligence startup Turi has been acquired by Apple in a deal characterized as a blockbuster exit for the Seattle-based company, formerly known as Dato and GraphLab, GeekWire has learned. The acquisition reflects a larger push by Apple into artificial intelligence and machine learning. It also promises to further increase the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's presence in the Seattle region, where Apple has been building an engineering outpost for the past two years. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," said Apple in a statement when contacted by GeekWire about the deal, its standard comment after making such acquisitions. Multiple sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed that Turi has been acquired.