Microsoft is reportedly in talks to acquire Adept, a promising AI startup founded by veterans of OpenAI and Google. While the exact financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, sources have indicated that it would not be a typical acquisition but rather involve some members of Adept’s team moving to Microsoft.
If the rumored deal materializes, it would be another strategic move by Microsoft to solidify its position as a leading player in the AI industry. The tech giant has already invested a substantial $13 billion in OpenAI, the creator of the renowned ChatGPT, and has made smaller investments in various AI startups.
Adept, known for its cutting-edge neural network architecture called the transformer, has faced challenges in acquiring significant commercial customers for its software since its flashy debut last year. This led to the departure of two of its cofounders, Ashish Vaswani and Niki Parmar, who went on to launch their own startup, Essential.
While Microsoft has declined to comment on the ongoing discussions, the potential acquisition of Adept could further bolster its AI capabilities and enhance its product offerings. As the AI boom continues to gain momentum, Microsoft’s strategic partnerships and investments in the field position it as a formidable player in the ever-evolving tech landscape.