Apple is reportedly debating internally whether to buy two of the hottest names in artificial intelligence—France’s Mistral and U.S.-based Perplexity. For a company usually known for small, under-the-radar deals- the move would signal a dramatic change in how Apple wants to play the AI game. This comes as the tech giant races to catch up in an industry where rivals like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI have already made big bets.

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Why Mistral and Perplexity Matter

Mistral, backed by Nvidia, has quickly emerged as a leader in building lean, high-performing language models. Its valuation has skyrocketed to more than $6 billion, making it one of Europe’s AI crown jewels.

Perplexity, on the other hand, is taking direct aim at Google’s search dominance. By blending large language models with real-time web indexing, it delivers answers that are not only conversational but also cited and transparent—an approach that’s winning it serious credibility. For Apple, both startups could serve as fast lanes into areas where it currently lags.

From Caution to Aggression

If Apple follows through, it would mark a break from its traditional acquisition playbook. Historically, Apple has favoured small, specialised firms that quietly integrate into its ecosystem. But CEO Tim Cook recently signalled that the company is now open to “larger strategic buys” in AI.

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Not everyone at Apple is on the same page, though. Eddy Cue, Apple’s services chief, is said to be pushing hardest for the acquisitions—echoing his past support for bold deals with Netflix and Tesla that never came into being. Meanwhile, Craig Federighi, head of software, reportedly believes Apple should stick to building its own AI muscle rather than spend billions on outside firms.

The Google Factor

One reason for urgency may be Apple’s multi-billion-dollar search deal with Google. For years, Google has paid Apple handsomely to remain the default search engine on Safari. But looming antitrust rulings could shake that arrangement—leaving Apple both vulnerable and motivated to hedge its bets with a stronger AI play.

What’s Next?

For now, Apple, Mistral, and Perplexity have kept quiet, offering no public comments. Whether these talks turn into a blockbuster deal or remain just internal chatter, they point to one thing: Apple knows it can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines of the AI revolution.