Apple has quietly inked a deal with Huxe, a startup that specializes in AI-generated podcasts, to poach a key team and license their tech. This reverse acqui-hire, a clever way for tech giants to secure talent and IP without a full buyout, hints at Apple’s growing interest in AI.

The move comes just a day after Spotify showed off its own AI-powered podcast features, suggesting a race is on to make personalized audio the new norm. Apple could be looking to enhance its Podcasts app with similar technology, aiming to offer a more tailored listening experience.

Huxe, founded by developers who previously worked on AI podcast features in NotebookLM, recently called it quits. The team expressed gratitude to its users, saying the project felt like a collaborative effort. With this deal, Apple effectively rescues the AI talent and IP from Huxe’s shutdown, which could be pivotal in the ongoing AI arms race.

While the specifics of the deal, such as who accepted employment offers, remain unclear, this acquisition could be Apple’s bid to give its podcasts a personalized touch. Only time will tell if listeners embrace the AI-generated content or prefer the human touch.