Apple's iPhone AI Talks With Google and OpenAI Still Ongoing

Apple is in ongoing discussions with Google and OpenAI to use their generative large-language models as the backbone of new iPhone AI features, but no formal announcement is expected until the summer, according to Bloomberg.

iphone open ai
Today's report follows the news earlier this week that Apple has been in talks with Google to integrate its Gemini AI engine into the iPhone as part of iOS 18.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has promised that the company will "break new ground" in AI this year, and iOS 18 is expected to play a big role. However, Apple's internal work is said to be focused on smaller-scale AI features that operate on-device and do not require an internet connection.

To drive more powerful cloud-based generative AI features, such as the ability to create images and write essays based on single prompts, Apple is seeking a partner that has the necessary large-scale hardware infrastructure and compute capabilities already in place.

Siri is expected to take advantage of the artificial intelligence improvements that Apple plans to bring in iOS 18. One leaker has suggested that Apple is planning to use large-language models to entirely revamp Siri and turn it into the "ultimate virtual assistant."

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that one of the specific features Apple is developing is an improved interaction between Siri and the Messages app, which would let Siri auto-complete sentences more effectively and answer complex questions.

But with the likes of Nvidia and other AI companies continuing to reshape the technology landscape, some investors are reportedly concerned that Apple will fail to keep up with the pace of change, and may not see the "hypergrowth" expected of it unless the iPhone maker can boost its credibility by deploying generative AI features this year.

Top Rated Comments

DMG35 Avatar
22 months ago
I thought Apple was developing their own AI. Looks like all they are going to do is partner with another company.

Why are they so behind here?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
22 months ago

I thought Apple was developing their own AI. Looks like all they are going to do is partner with another company.

Why are they so behind here?
OpenAI and Google worked on their models for many years, employing the top researchers in the field, and applying tons of RLHF (reinforcement learning from human feedback — which takes time and large amounts of human feedback). Apple can’t just catch up that quickly for generative AI.

Look at how long Apple took to catch up on Google Maps with Apple Maps. And most people still think Google Maps is better in most countries.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
22 months ago
I asked Siri if they are talking to Open AI; she opened my location in Find My, without saying a word.
I think she must be about to SWAT me.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rradcircless Avatar
22 months ago
Can Apple like, avoid cloud-based AI? They can't say "Yay earth! Yay zero carbon footprint!" and partner with servers that demand so much energy and cooling water.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
22 months ago

Can Apple like, avoid cloud-based AI? They can't say "Yay earth! Yay zero carbon footprint!" and partner with servers that demand so much energy and cooling water.
To be fair, a ChatGPT query only uses about the same energy as 15 Google queries. And BitCoin mining is estimated to use roughly 10,000,000 times as much energy per year globally than ChatGPT.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FloridaScrubJay Avatar
22 months ago
Hopefully any AI roll out will be smoother than that initially of Apple Maps.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)