Apple hires the team behind AI podcast startup Hux

What happened: A European Commission filing under the Digital Markets Act shows Apple can offer jobs to the team behind Hux, whose AI host made personalized podcasts, and gets a nonexclusive license to its tech. The founders came from Google's NotebookLM team, and the app shut down in May. MacRumors and TechCrunch reported it October 9 and 10. The filing describes job offers and a license, not a purchase, and does not say who was hired or what Apple plans to build.
Austin's take: Austin sees another acquihire showing that talent, not IP, is the scarce asset right now. He wonders how audiences will respond to AI hosts next to human ones in Apple's podcast app, and asks whether Apple is late to AI.
Why it matters: Apple runs a top podcast app, so AI made shows could end up sitting right beside human hosts.
What to do: Keep an eye on Apple Podcasts for AI generated or personalized shows and decide how you feel about listening to them.
Not confirmed yet: Apple's plans for the technology are unknown.

The Loop