OpenAI buys Sky and integrates their AI interface on Mac devices
OpenAI has acquired Software Applications, the team behind Sky, an AI interface for the Mac that can «see» screen content, understand context, and perform actions in apps.
OpenAI has acquired Software Applications, the team behind Sky, an AI interface for the Mac that can «see» screen content, understand context, and perform actions in apps.
According to TechCrunch, Sky was conceived as an assistant that accompanies the user throughout the day: helping to write, plan, program, control on-screen tools and launch the necessary actions without manual clicking. There has not been a public release of the product yet, but the idea itself (a layer of artificial intelligence «floating» on top of the system) is focused on the daily routine of people and teams working on Mac.
The team has a strong background. Co-founders Ari Weinstein and Conrad Kramer previously built Workflow, which Apple bought and turned into Shortcuts, after which both worked at Apple for several years. The third co-founder, Kim Beverett, spent nearly a decade leading product lines at Apple, including Safari, WebKit, Privacy, Messages, Mail, Phone, FaceTime, and SharePlay. Sky explains the motivation simply: large language models make the computer more intuitive and personalized, and the interface above the desktop removes the friction between thought and action.
Sky developers are moving to OpenAI, and their work will form the basis of the updated desktop ChatGPT for macOS.
Apple’s view of the ecosystem is pragmatic. The company is rolling out Apple Intelligence and preparing an updated Siri, and will redirect individual requests to ChatGPT. At the same time, an agent that reads the screen and clicks «for you» raises privacy and security issues. Business users will expect clear access policies, local processing where possible, and transparent activity logs.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. It is known that Software Applications raised $6.5 million from investors, including Sam Altman (passive stake through an investment fund), Dylan Field, Context Ventures and Stellation Capital. The transaction was overseen by Head of ChatGPT Nick Turley and CEO of Applications Fiji Simo, and the deal was approved by the OpenAI board of directors.
For OpenAI, this is a step towards «computer as co-executor» agent scenarios, where ChatGPT ceases to be just a chat window and becomes a working tool on top of the system. Everything will then rest on the quality of integration with macOS, the permission model for access to the screen and data, as well as the company’s ability to prove the security of this approach for corporate users.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how Adam Fry, the head of the Atlas department at OpenAI, said that his team is already working on improving the new AI browser and announced new features that will appear soon.
OpenAI releases its AI browser Atlas. Shares of parent company Google have already reacted by falling
OpenAI releases its AI browser Atlas. Shares of parent company Google have already reacted by falling
OpenAI has restricted the creation of videos with images of celebrities in Sora and introduced a «consent only» rule
OpenAI has restricted the creation of videos with images of celebrities in Sora and introduced a «consent only» rule
OpenAI’s valuation has risen to $500 billion. It is now the most valuable startup in the world
OpenAI’s valuation has risen to $500 billion. It is now the most valuable startup in the world
Read the country’s main IT news in our Telegram
Read the country’s main IT news in our Telegram
