Apple researchers build Minions to pool idle Mac GPUs for AI work
The system turns unused Mac graphics capacity into a virtual cloud for AI inference, and several teams inside Apple already use it, TechCrunch reports.
Apple researchers have developed a system called Minions that pools unused GPU capacity from Macs into a virtual cloud for AI work, according to a paper reported by TechCrunch on October 14, 2026.
Six Apple researchers described in the paper how they combined the computing power of multiple Macs into a virtual cloud. Minions automatically finds available computing resources and divides tasks across multiple devices. It also accounts for Macs that are temporarily turned off or already running at maximum capacity.
According to Apple, Minions is mainly used for AI inference, and several teams inside the company are already using it.
The system does not turn multiple Macs into a single powerful GPU with shared memory; it processes independent tasks across separate devices instead.
The researchers identified data security as a future challenge, noting that running tasks on Macs used by other teams could expose sensitive information.
Quick answers
What is Apple's Minions system?
It is a system developed by Apple researchers that pools unused GPU capacity from multiple Macs into a virtual cloud for AI work.
What is Minions mainly used for?
According to Apple, it is mainly used for AI inference, and several teams inside the company are already using it.
Does Minions combine Macs into one GPU?
No. It processes independent tasks across separate devices rather than turning multiple Macs into a single GPU with shared memory.