OpenAI Acquires Multi, Hinting at Future of AI-Powered Collaboration

OpenAI expands its technology portfolio with the acquisition of Multi, a startup focused on screensharing and collaboration for Mac users, marking its third known acquisition to date and hinting at potential future developments for its AI-powered products and services.

Key details of the acquisition: OpenAI has acquired Multi, formerly known as Remotion, a five-person startup based in New York City that specializes in screensharing and collaboration technologies for Mac users:

• The terms of the deal, including the acquisition price and the breakdown of cash versus stock, were not disclosed.
• OpenAI declined to provide further details about the acquisition or the specific roles and responsibilities of the Multi team within the company.

Multi team joins ChatGPT desktop app development: According to Multi’s co-founder and CEO Alexander Embiricos, the entire Multi team has joined OpenAI’s “ChatGPT desktop team,” which is responsible for developing the ChatGPT for Mac desktop app:

• The ChatGPT for Mac desktop app was unveiled in May 2024, and the addition of the Multi team suggests potential enhancements to the app’s features and capabilities.
• Users on social media have speculated that the acquisition could lead to ChatGPT being able to “take over” a user’s computer and perform actions based on text or voice prompts, although this remains unconfirmed.

Sunsetting of current Multi app and data deletion: As part of the acquisition, Multi announced that it will be sunsetting its current software and ending support for it on July 24, 2024:

• Users are advised to export their data before the deletion date using the “Export Session Notes” feature in the app’s account settings.
• Multi is open to granting extensions to the deletion date for individual or company accounts, and its team members can recommend alternative solutions to users who reach out via email.

Multi’s evolution and focus on collaboration: Founded in 2019 as Remotion, the company initially developed a lightweight video conferencing and screensharing app as an alternative to Zoom and Microsoft Teams:

• In the summer of 2023, the company rebranded as Multi and shifted its focus to helping technical teams collaborate more effectively, whether working remotely or in the same location.
• Multi’s app emphasized screensharing of application windows across multiple desktop computers, allowing team members to work in shared views, annotate over apps, and blend distinct app views into a single shared view.

Broader implications and analysis: The acquisition of Multi by OpenAI raises interesting questions about the future direction of AI-powered collaboration and productivity tools:

• The integration of Multi’s screensharing and collaboration technologies into OpenAI’s products, particularly the ChatGPT desktop app, could lead to more sophisticated and interactive AI assistants that can actively participate in and facilitate teamwork.
• However, the sunsetting of Multi’s current app and the deletion of user data may cause some disruption for its existing user base, who will need to find alternative solutions or potentially wait for the integration of Multi’s features into OpenAI’s offerings.
• The acquisition also highlights the ongoing consolidation in the AI industry, as larger players like OpenAI seek to expand their capabilities and market reach through strategic acquisitions of smaller, specialized startups.

As OpenAI continues to develop and refine its AI technologies, the incorporation of Multi’s expertise in screensharing and collaboration could open up new possibilities for AI-assisted teamwork and productivity. However, the specific details of how Multi’s technologies will be integrated and the timeline for their deployment remain uncertain, leaving users and industry observers eager to see what the future holds for OpenAI’s products and services.