Apple's fourth AI deal of 2026: acquiring talent from Huxe, founded by former google engineers

On October 10, 2026, IT Home reported that Apple has entered into a talent acquisition and technology licensing agreement with Huxe, an AI audio startup. This marks Apple's fourth known AI-related transaction of the year. According to documents from the EU's Digital Markets Act transparency database, Apple has the right to invite and hire specific Huxe employees, and also receives a non-exclusive license to the company's intellectual property. The deal, known as an 'acqui-hire,' does not involve the purchase of Huxe's business. Huxe, founded by three former Google NotebookLM team members—Raiza Martin, Jason Spielman, and Stephen Hughes—launched its app in June 2025 and opened to the public in September 2025. The company raised $4.6 million in funding at that time. Huxe shut down its service on May 28, 2026.