Apple discloses deal to hire team and license tech from personalized podcast startup Huxe

Apple disclosed to the European Commission that it will offer jobs to some Huxe AI employees and take a non-exclusive license to the startup’s intellectual property. Huxe, founded by developers who worked on NotebookLM’s AI-generated podcast features, recently shut down its app and service. The filing does not say which employees are joining Apple or how Apple plans to use the technology.

The deal suggests Apple may be looking to strengthen AI-generated audio capabilities, potentially for Apple Podcasts or other personalized media products. It also reflects the growing use of reverse acqui-hires, where large tech companies gain talent and technology without buying startups outright, a structure that may attract less immediate antitrust scrutiny.