Amid reports of Apple developing its own artificial technology (AI) tool, the iPhone maker has restricted the use of OpenAI-owned ChatGPT for several of its employees, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people familiar with the matter.


The company's decision comes amid concerns about employees leaking confidential data and AI platforms collecting sensitive information.


The Wall Street Journal was able to see the document where Apple is concerned about these AI platforms collecting confidential data from employees. In addition to ChatGPT, the tech giant has also banned its employees from using Microsoft-owned GitHub’s Copilot. With Copilot, developers can automate the writing of code.


This development also comes after OpenAI released the official ChatGPT app for iPhone for free.


ChatGPT developer has announced the launch of a dedicated iPhone app for its ChatGPT service. The app for iPhones is available via the Apple App Store and gives users the ability to use ChatGPT through a native app on iPhone devices. The free-to-use app does not include ads as of now. The ChatGPT app is currently available only in the US. However, OpenAI says the app will be available in other regions “in the coming weeks.”


Earlier this week, during a hearing with US lawmakers, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, emphasised the need for regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) following the remarkable performance of the lab's pathbreaking chatbot, ChatGPT.


Concerns about AI's advancements were expressed by the lawmakers, with Senator Richard Blumenthal beginning the hearing by having a computer-generated voice, similar to his own, read a text written by the chatbot.


Following the viral release of ChatGPT, which amazed and concerned users with its human-like content generation abilities, governments worldwide are under pressure to act swiftly. Altman has become a prominent figure in the field of AI, promoting his company's technology while warning about potential negative impacts on society.