Apple Sets Up Seattle Hub To Work On AI, Machine Learning; Improved Siri In The Works?

Apple is setting up engineering operations in Seattle to develop artificial intelligence applications for its range of devices including the iPhone, MacBooks, Apple Watch and iPads among others. Geekwire reported Thursday the company has invested in the venture to realize its "AI ambitions" and has setup a $1 million endowed professorship in artificial intelligence and machine learning at the University of Washington in accordance with its acquisition of Australian start-up Turi in August last year. "We're trying to find the best people who are excited about AI and machine learning -- excited about research and thinking long term but also bringing those ideas into products that impact and delight our customers," Carlos Guestrin, director of machine learning at Apple told Geekwire on Thursday. He also added: "We work on the whole spectrum. It's not just about doing research, but it's about the technology transfer and how that gets embedded into experiences that customers love."