Apple has reportedly resumed discussions with OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, to incorporate certain AI capabilities into iOS 18, as per a recent Bloomberg report. Alongside developing its own large language models for iOS 18 features, Apple is exploring the possibility of utilizing OpenAI’s technology for a “chatbot/search component,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman states.
Additionally, Apple is said to be in talks with Google to potentially license Gemini, Google’s AI-driven chatbot, for integration into iOS 18. Gurman notes that negotiations with Google are ongoing, and Apple has yet to finalize its decision regarding which company’s technology to adopt. There’s a possibility that Apple might opt to license AI technology from both or neither of the companies.
While Apple has kept relatively silent about its AI initiatives compared to other tech giants, it has dropped hints indicating its focus on AI development. During Apple’s earnings announcement in February, CEO Tim Cook mentioned the company’s continued investment in artificial intelligence and teased forthcoming details about its endeavors in the space later in the year. Apple also touted its latest M3 MacBook Air as the “world’s best consumer laptop for AI” upon its release last month, hinting at future AI-centric releases for laptops and desktops. Furthermore, Apple recently made available several open-source large language models designed for local device usage rather than cloud-based processing.
The specifics of Apple’s AI features for iPhones and other devices remain unclear. Generative AI technology is known for its unreliability and tendency to provide inaccurate responses. Recent AI-powered gadgets, such as the Humane Ai Pin, received negative reviews, while others like the Rabbit R1 are yet to demonstrate their value.
More details about Apple’s AI initiatives are expected to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) scheduled for June 10.
