Apple has hired employees and licensed technology from artificial intelligence (AI) podcast startup Huxe in a reverse acqui-hire arrangement, according to a European Commission filing.
The filing indicates Apple hired Huxe’s founders and core team and paid a licensing fee for its technology without buying the company itself. One reason cited for this structure is to avoid delays from government merger and acquisition oversight.
Huxe was founded by former team members who built Google‘s Gemini Notebook podcast-making features. That tool lets users combine multiple sources and request an AI-generated podcast summary.
Potential Apple applications#
Apple could use the licensed technology to let users create personalised podcasts within its Podcast or Music apps.
In May, Spotify launched Studio by Spotify Labs, which can generate:
- daily news briefings
- playlists
- short podcasts with music mixed in
AI audio shift#
The filing adds to a broader move by streaming platforms toward non-music audio content. AI-generated podcasts are one way platforms are expanding beyond shared releases such as album launches or serialised shows, toward content tailored to individual listeners.
