Apple has reportedly resumed talks with OpenAI about using its technology to power iOS 18’s AI features. The company will use OpenAI’s LLM model to seemingly power an AI-based chatbot.
OpenAI and Apple are also discussing how they can integrate OpenAI features into iOS 18.
iOS 18 could feature AI-powered features from both Google and OpenAI
A previous report indicated that the iPhone maker could use Google Gemini to power iOS 18’s generative AI features. Apple is yet to finalize a partner for the planned AI features in iOS 18.
The Bloomberg report indicates Apple might go with both OpenAI and Google or select another company altogether. In any case, it appears Apple wants to rely on OpenAI or Google’s AI expertise to power generative AI and chatbot-based features in iOS 18 instead of creating a similar technology on its own.
If Apple ends up partnering with Google or OpenAI, it would be the first time in years that it has worked this closely with another major tech giant for major iOS features.
Rumors indicate many of iOS 18’s AI features could entirely run on-device, giving Apple’s implementation an edge over Google and Samsung. For other generative AI-based features, the company seemingly plans to partner with Google or OpenAI, offloading the high server costs and privacy risks to them.
“Apple’s iOS 18 features they will highlight at WWDC are based on an in-house model. The talks with OpenAI and Google are for a chatbot/search component,” said Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman on X (formerly Twitter).
Apple currently lags behind in the AI race
Apple has yet to unveil any major AI features, unlike Google and Microsoft. Its executives, however, have teased AI-focused announcements at WWDC 2024, saying it will be “Absolutely Incredible!”
The company recently also acquired some AI-focused startups to bolster its development efforts in this field. This is in addition to the 32 AI startups Apple acquired in 2023. It has also moved over employees from its canceled Apple Car and microLED projects to work on its AI initiatives as it looks to catch up with the competition.
