The technology world is abuzz as two major players—Input Output, the engineering powerhouse behind Cardano, and Apple, the global consumer tech giant—announce sweeping changes that promise to reshape the future of digital innovation. Both companies are betting big on artificial intelligence, privacy, and next-generation user experiences, signaling a new era where boundaries between blockchain, AI, and everyday technology are blurring faster than ever before.
On December 5, 2023, Input Output, long recognized for its foundational work on the Cardano blockchain, revealed a comprehensive restructuring and rebranding plan. The company, previously known as Input Output Global, will now operate under the name Input Output Group. According to the company’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, this move is far more than a cosmetic change. "As Input Output Group, we are entering a new chapter of expansion, investment, and innovation in the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and emerging markets," Hoskinson stated, as reported by Input Output’s official channels.
Hoskinson described the transformation as a deliberate pivot toward becoming a global technology conglomerate capable of tackling complex challenges in fintech, privacy, artificial intelligence, and healthcare. While Input Output will continue to support Cardano’s core development, the company is now setting its sights on new frontiers—quantum computing, digital identity, and healthcare technology, among others. This diversification reflects a broader trend in the blockchain and crypto industry, where companies are increasingly moving beyond their roots to embrace distributed systems, data infrastructure, and AI-driven solutions.
Input Output’s ambitions are not just blue-sky thinking. The company has already made notable advances in privacy technology through its Midnight blockchain, a platform designed to support data protection and compliance for institutional users. This strategic expansion is also about tapping into lucrative new markets. A recent analysis by the United Nations estimated that rapid innovation in artificial intelligence could drive a $5 trillion market within the next decade, with significant spillover effects in fields like digital identity and quantum computing. By adding these sectors to its portfolio, Input Output aims to attract enterprise customers and open up new commercial pathways.
Yet, Input Output’s big moves come at a challenging time for Cardano itself. Despite its technological prowess, Cardano has struggled to keep pace with rivals like Solana and Ethereum, especially in the realm of stablecoins. According to Input Output’s own data, Cardano currently holds less than $50 million in stablecoin supply, a mere fraction compared to Ethereum’s ecosystem, which supports hundreds of billions of dollars in such assets. Hoskinson doesn’t shy away from the issue. "This is not a technology problem. Not a node problem. Not a problem of imagination and creativity. Not a problem of execution. We can do everything. It’s a problem of governance and coordination, and ultimately, accountability and responsibility," he emphasized, highlighting what he sees as the real hurdles facing Cardano.
To address these challenges, Input Output is forming new alliances with Cardano’s founding organizations, focusing on improving integration for first-tier stablecoins and custody providers. The company hopes these efforts will boost liquidity, deepen infrastructure, and make Cardano more appealing to both developers and financial institutions. The strategy is clear: strengthen Cardano’s ecosystem while leveraging the company’s expanding expertise in AI, quantum computing, and privacy to stay ahead of the curve.
Meanwhile, in the consumer tech arena, Apple is preparing to launch iOS 26.2 for iPhone in 2025—a release that’s been eagerly anticipated by users and industry watchers alike. According to Apple’s official communications, the new update promises a suite of improvements centered on artificial intelligence and user experience. The update, which has been in rigorous beta testing since late 2024, is designed to redefine how users interact with their devices, introducing advanced data protection tools and next-level personalization.
Among the headline features is Image Playground, an AI-powered tool that allows users to generate images directly from text descriptions. This creative leap is complemented by Genmoji, which lets users craft personalized emojis based on their own descriptions, adding a fun and expressive twist to digital communication. Apple’s Notes app is also getting a boost, with AI integration aimed at optimizing productivity and streamlining workflow.
Apple has invested heavily in on-device processing for these new features, prioritizing privacy and high performance—especially on the latest models like the iPhone 16. This approach ensures that sensitive data remains on the device, reducing reliance on external servers and enhancing user privacy. The integration of ChatGPT with Siri is another major milestone, enabling the virtual assistant to handle more complex tasks and understand context-rich commands. Siri will be able to access external AI accounts securely, without requiring additional authentication, making interactions smoother and more intuitive.
Visual Intelligence, another standout addition, leverages the iPhone’s camera to identify objects and provide contextual information, bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds. Customizable actions on the Action Button will let users set up shortcuts for specific functions, such as launching accessibility apps or activating focus modes. Financial management is also getting easier, with Apple Wallet updates enabling scheduled payments and enhanced Apple Cash capabilities.
The Reminders app will introduce "Smart Reminders" that adapt automatically to user priorities, while the Clock app gains expanded alarm scheduling for greater flexibility. Apple’s Mail app is being completely redesigned, now categorizing emails into "Primary," "Transactions," and "Promotions" to help users manage their inboxes and reduce information overload. Privacy features are front and center, with new options like "Hide IP Address" for specific websites, stronger encryption for sensitive information, and more transparent settings that give users greater control over their data.
Language support for AI features is expanding, starting with English in countries such as Canada, Ireland, and Australia. Apple is also optimizing system stability and compliance with global regulations, particularly the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which has prompted significant changes to Safari and other native apps to promote competition and openness in the ecosystem.
Entertainment and device tracking are not left behind. Apple Music now offers improved offline downloads, and the search interface has been streamlined for easier content discovery. Podcasts on tvOS now support premium content, while the "Find My" app enables sharing of object locations with other users—making group coordination a breeze. AirTags have been updated to better detect unwanted tracking, bolstering personal security.
Both Input Output and Apple are responding to the same global forces: the accelerating pace of AI innovation, mounting demands for privacy, and the need to create technology that’s not just powerful, but also trustworthy and accessible. Whether it’s building a next-generation blockchain ecosystem or rolling out smarter, safer smartphones, these companies are charting a course that could define the next decade of digital life.
As these sweeping changes take hold, users and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how the convergence of AI, privacy, and new technology platforms shapes the digital landscape for years to come.
