# Apple and Meta Collaborate to Run Muse Spark Open on Mac Studio The tech giants partner to enable large-scale AI model execution on desktop hardware. - **Source:** [The Next Web](https://brifing.si/source/afe24b20-b275-4c19-b9a6-8bb3c8babae7) - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/46f82c8e-eeef-404f-bef5-d64531b8b076 ## Strategic Partnership Re-established Apple and Meta have officially collaborated to optimize the Muse Spark Open model for Mac Studio hardware. This marks the first public partnership between the two technology rivals since 2017. The initiative was confirmed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Apple CEO John Ternus through public statements shared on the X platform. ## Technical Model Specifications The Muse Spark Open model features 816 billion parameters, with 42 billion parameters active during operation. Meta claims this is the first model of its scale capable of running on desktop hardware. The system utilizes Apple’s MLX framework to manage computational loads across multiple connected Mac Studio units for complex tasks. ## Hardware Requirements for Execution Running the model requires two Mac Studio units equipped with Apple’s M5 Ultra chips. Each graphics processor supports up to 512GB of memory, allowing the full model to reside across two machines. Users can link up to four devices to perform advanced coding, video analysis, or execute autonomous AI agents locally. ## Privacy and Local Processing Because the model operates entirely on local hardware, Meta does not gain access to user prompts or data inputs. This architecture addresses significant privacy concerns by keeping sensitive information within the user's physical environment. The local execution model represents a shift in how high-parameter AI models are deployed for enterprise-grade professional workflows. ## Significant Financial Investment Deploying this AI infrastructure involves substantial capital expenditure for hardware. A Mac Studio configured with an M5 Ultra chip and 256GB of memory starts at $10,799. A higher-capacity 512GB version is scheduled for release later this month, further increasing the total cost of ownership for organizations adopting this specific local AI solution. ## Facilitating the Collaboration Meta’s chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, noted that the project involved several months of joint development. Daniel Gross, a former Apple director currently at Meta, played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the two companies. This cooperation signals a potential thawing of relations following previous tensions regarding Apple's 2021 privacy changes. ## Historical Context of Tensions The relationship between Apple and Meta previously deteriorated following Apple’s 2021 privacy updates. Meta had estimated that these specific policy changes would reduce its 2022 revenue by approximately $10 billion. The current collaboration marks a notable departure from that period of friction, though neither company has confirmed a long-term strategic alliance. ## Leadership and Future Outlook John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook as Apple’s CEO on September 1, is actively engaging in this new AI-focused partnership. While the companies remain tight-lipped about future joint ventures, the technical integration of Meta’s models on Apple silicon highlights a shared interest in advancing high-performance local computing for professional AI applications. ## Sources covering this story - https://thenextweb.com/news/apple-meta-muse-spark-open-mac-studio — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._