OpenAI is buying Sky, an AI interface for Mac

OpenAI announced Thursday that it has acquired Software Applications, Inc., maker of an AI-powered natural language interface for Mac computers called Sky.

The software product, which is not released to the public, is designed to work with you throughout your day, as you use applications on your computer, write, plan, program and more. Similar to AI browsers, Sky can see what’s on your screen and take actions in your apps for you.

This is an important step towards integrating OpenAI technology into the daily lives of consumers and businesses running on Mac devices.

“We’ve always wanted computers to be more empowering, customizable and intuitive. With LLM, we can finally put the pieces together. That’s why we built Sky, an AI experience that floats above your desktop to help you think and create. We’re thrilled to join OpenAI,” Ari Weinstein, co-founder and CEO of Software Applications, said in a statement. “To bring this vision to hundreds of millions of people.”

Notably, the team behind Sky had another notable director before this.

Weinstein and Konrad Kramer previously co-founded Workflow, which they sold to Apple, where the technology is now known as Shortcuts. Both continued to work at Apple for several years before leaving to found Software Apps in August 2023. Sky’s third co-founder and COO, Kim Peverett, was a senior software and product manager at Apple, where she spent nearly 10 years working on technology like Safari, WebKit, privacy, messaging, mail, phone, and FaceTime. and SharePlay.

Apple, which has been a laggard so far in the AI ​​space, is expected to launch a revamped Siri with AI next year. Apple has already shipped other features that use its AI technology known as Apple Intelligence, including typing assistants, live translation, photo creation, visual search, and more. It also works with OpenAI to cancel queries that Siri can’t answer in ChatGPT. Apple Intelligence works across platforms, including Mac.

Additionally, Apple offers the Foundation Models framework that provides access to native AI models, allowing developers to build AI directly into their applications.

However, Apple values ​​privacy as a core part of its AI offerings, and having a proxy system watch your screen and take action on your behalf may raise concerns for some of its more security-conscious customers. Agentic AI is still in its early days, and recent reviews suggest that AI browsers come with a lot of safety risks. As a result, it may take Apple some time to launch a Mac AI system similar to Sky’s.

Deal terms for the OpenAI acquisition were not disclosed, but the Sky maker has raised $6.5 million from investors, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Figma CEO Dylan Field, Context Ventures, and Stellation Capital, according to data from Pitchbook. OpenAI revealed that Altman had a negative interest in the startup through a venture fund.

The deal was led by ChatGPT President Nick Turley and OpenAI’s Chief Application Officer, Fidji Simo, and was approved by OpenAI’s Board of Directors.