OpenAI has officially acquired Software Applications, Inc., the company behind Sky, an unreleased AI-powered assistant designed for Mac computers.
Sky acts as a natural language interface that works alongside users throughout their day, helping them write, plan, code, and manage tasks across apps. Much like an AI browser, it can understand what’s happening on your screen and take actions on your behalf, making computer use more intuitive and efficient.
This move marks a major step for OpenAI as it aims to integrate its technology more deeply into people’s daily lives and into the systems businesses use on Mac. Ari Weinstein, co-founder and CEO of Software Applications, said that Sky was created to make computers more empowering and intuitive. He explained that with large language models, it’s now possible to create an AI experience that helps people think and create more effectively. Weinstein added that joining OpenAI will help bring this vision to millions of users around the world.
The team behind Sky already has a strong history of innovation. Weinstein and his co-founder Conrad Kramer previously developed Workflow, an automation app later acquired by Apple and transformed into the Shortcuts feature found in iOS today. Their third co-founder, Kim Beverett, spent nearly a decade at Apple, working on key products such as Safari, Messages, FaceTime, and SharePlay before co-founding Software Applications in 2023.
Apple, which has been slower to roll out advanced AI features compared to competitors, is expected to introduce a redesigned Siri with AI capabilities next year. The company has already released several tools under its “Apple Intelligence” banner, including writing assistants, live translation, image generation, and visual search. Apple is also collaborating with OpenAI to allow Siri to hand off certain queries to ChatGPT.
Still, Apple’s strong focus on privacy could delay the release of an AI system as advanced as Sky, which has agent-like capabilities that can view screens and perform tasks. Such systems raise security and privacy concerns, especially as this kind of “agentic AI” is still very new and comes with potential safety risks.
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Although OpenAI has not shared the financial details of the acquisition, Pitchbook data shows that Software Applications had previously raised $6.5 million from investors, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Figma CEO Dylan Field, Context Ventures, and Stellation Capital. OpenAI stated that Altman only had a passive investment in the company through a fund. The acquisition was led by Head of ChatGPT Nick Turley and CEO of Applications Fidji Simo, and it was approved by OpenAI’s board.
