Apple Reaches Talent and IP Licensing Deal with AI Audio Startup Huxe

Apple has entered into a talent and technology licensing agreement with Huxe, an AI audio startup founded by former Google NotebookLM team members, according to a filing disclosed this month in the EU Digital Markets Act transparency database.

The filing shows Apple may extend employment offers to and hire specific Huxe employees, and it also receives a non-exclusive license to Huxe's intellectual property. The arrangement is an acqui-hire rather than an acquisition of Huxe itself, and the financial terms were not disclosed. It is the fourth publicly disclosed Apple AI-related deal in 2026.

Huxe was founded by Raiza Martin, Jason Spielman and Stephen Hughes. Martin, formerly the project lead for Google NotebookLM, left Google in December 2024. The startup launched its namesake app by invitation in June 2025, opened it to the public in September 2025, and at the time disclosed $4.6 million in funding. The app generated daily audio briefings from users' emails and calendars, produced podcast-style conversations on selected topics, and offered ongoing audio updates on news, sports and other subjects. Huxe announced it would close in May 2026, with services ending on May 28.