Apple is actively pursuing partnerships with leading AI companies to enhance the capabilities of its upcoming iOS 18 operating system for the iPhone. The Cupertino company is in discussions with OpenAI to integrate the company’s generative artificial intelligence technology into new iPhone features.
The move comes just about a month and a half before Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024, where the company is expected to unveil iOS 18 and showcase its latest AI-powered features.
Apple’s goal is to position these AI features as seamlessly integrated into its devices, with a strong emphasis on strong privacy protections—a core tenet of the company’s brand identity. However, Apple has yet to make a final decision on which partners it will ultimately work with, and there is no guarantee that a deal will be reached with any of the current contenders, including OpenAI and Google.
The company may choose a different vendor entirely for its AI integration features.
Apple has also been involved in discussions with Google to integrate the search giant’s chatbot capabilities into the iPhone ecosystem. Earlier this month, reports surfaced that the initial set of AI features in iOS 18 would be designed to run natively on the iPhone, without the need for cloud processing. Apple plans to leverage its in-device neural engine and large language model to power the privacy-focused AI improvements.
CEO Tim Cook previously acknowledged that he personally uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but also expressed concerns about certain issues that need to be addressed. Cook emphasized that Apple will approach the integration of new AI features into its platforms on a “very thoughtful basis.”
Relying on partnerships with AI vendors could help Apple circumvent some of the risks and liabilities associated with developing its own AI technology from scratch. By outsourcing these features to external partners, Apple may be able to more quickly introduce chatbot-like capabilities to the iPhone while maintaining a focus on user privacy and responsible AI implementation.
The upcoming WWDC 2024 event in June is expected to provide more details on Apple’s AI strategy and the specific features that will be included in iOS 18.
Through Bloomberg (paywall)