Apple has forged a partnership with OpenAI, a pioneer in Generative AI technology, days ahead of its annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), which is expected to see the announcement of AI-powered iOS 18. As reported by Bloomberg, the Cupertino tech giant is set to unveil this collaboration during WWDC, which is slated to commence on June 10. This strategic alliance aims to integrate OpenAI's renowned chatbot, ChatGPT, directly into the iPhone's operating system, potentially granting access to millions of Apple users.
While the specifics of the integration remain undisclosed, the report suggests that the incorporation of ChatGPT's capabilities will extend across various Apple applications and services.
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Apple AI Could Be Optional
Notably, Apple is expected to position this AI feature as an optional service, allowing users to opt in as per their preference. Dag Kittlaus, co-founder of Siri prior to its acquisition by Apple, anticipates a fruitful albeit short- to medium-term collaboration between the two tech entities. "But you can bet that they will be working hard building out their own competencies here," Kittlaus remarked.
Both Apple and OpenAI have yet to provide official comments regarding this partnership, as per Bloomberg.
Simultaneously, Apple is reportedly in discussions with Google regarding the integration of its Gemini AI chatbot into Apple devices. However, the deal with OpenAI was sealed first, primarily due to more favourable business terms and Apple's confidence in OpenAI's leading position within the AI industry.
As per Bloomberg, sources also revealed that Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, is poised for an AI overhaul.
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What AI Powers Will Siri Get?
Powered by large language models (LLMs), akin to those underpinning generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, the revamped Siri is expected to offer enhanced functionalities. Users may soon be able to navigate apps solely through voice commands, perform tasks such as sending or deleting emails, accessing specific publications on Apple News, and even summarising articles on iPhone and iPad.
This forthcoming iteration of Siri is projected to be more conversational and versatile, departing from its conventional question-response framework to engage users in meaningful interactions. The anticipated upgrades align with Apple's broader efforts to leverage AI advancements to enrich user experiences across its ecosystem.