On Monday, Apple premiered “Apple Intelligence” throughout a wide-ranging presentation at its annual Worldwide Builders Convention in Cupertino, California. Nevertheless, the center of its new tech, an array of Apple-developed AI models, was overshadowed by the announcement of ChatGPT integration into its system working techniques.
Since rumors of the partnership first emerged, we have seen confusion on social media about why Apple did not develop a cutting-edge GPT-4-like chatbot internally. Regardless of Apple’s year-long development of its personal massive language fashions (LLMs), many perceived the mixing of ChatGPT (and opening the door for others, like Google Gemini) as an indication of Apple’s lack of innovation.
“That is actually unusual. Certainly Apple might prepare an excellent competing LLM in the event that they wished? They’ve had a 12 months,” wrote AI developer Benjamin De Kraker on X. Elon Musk has additionally been grumbling in regards to the OpenAI deal—and spreading misconceptions about it—saying things like, “It’s patently absurd that Apple isn’t sensible sufficient to make their very own AI, but is in some way able to guaranteeing that OpenAI will defend your safety & privateness!”
Whereas Apple has developed many applied sciences internally, it has additionally by no means been shy about integrating outdoors tech when crucial in varied methods, from acquisitions to built-in purchasers—in reality, Siri was initially developed by an outdoor firm. However by making a cope with an organization like OpenAI, which has been the supply of a string of tech controversies lately, it is comprehensible that some folks do not perceive why Apple made the decision—and what it’d entail for the privateness of their on-device information.
“Our clients need one thing with world information a number of the time”
Whereas Apple Intelligence largely makes use of its personal Apple-developed LLMs, Apple additionally realized that there could also be occasions when some customers need to use what the corporate considers the present “greatest” present LLM—OpenAI’s GPT-4 household. In an interview with The Washington Post, Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner defined the choice to combine OpenAI first:
“I believe they’re a pioneer within the space, and at this time they’ve the perfect mannequin,” he stated. “And I believe our clients need one thing with world information a number of the time. So we thought of every little thing and everybody. And clearly we’re not caught on one individual endlessly or one thing. We’re integrating with different folks as effectively. However they’re first, and I believe at this time it’s as a result of they’re greatest.”
The proposed advantage of Apple integrating ChatGPT into varied experiences inside iOS, iPadOS, and macOS is that it permits AI customers to entry ChatGPT’s capabilities with out the necessity to change between totally different apps—both by way of the Siri interface or by way of Apple’s built-in “Writing Instruments.” Customers will even have the choice to attach their paid ChatGPT account to entry further options.
As a solution to privateness issues, Apple says that earlier than any information is distributed to ChatGPT, the OS asks for the consumer’s permission, and the complete ChatGPT expertise is non-compulsory. In accordance with Apple, requests aren’t saved by OpenAI, and customers’ IP addresses are hidden. Apparently, communication with OpenAI servers occurs by way of API calls much like utilizing the ChatGPT app on iOS, and there may be reportedly no deeper OS integration that may expose consumer information to OpenAI with out the consumer’s permission.
We are able to solely take Apple’s phrase for it in the intervening time, in fact, and stable particulars about Apple’s AI privateness efforts will emerge as soon as safety consultants get their fingers on the brand new options later this 12 months.
Apple’s historical past of tech integration
So you have seen why Apple selected OpenAI. However why look to outdoors corporations for tech? In some methods, Apple constructing an exterior LLM consumer into its working techniques is not too totally different from what it has beforehand performed with streaming video (the YouTube app on the unique iPhone), Web search (Google search integration), and social media (built-in Twitter and Fb sharing).
The press has positioned Apple’s current AI strikes as Apple “catching up” with rivals like Google and Microsoft by way of chatbots and generative AI. However taking part in it gradual and funky has lengthy been a part of Apple’s M.O.—not essentially introducing the bleeding fringe of know-how however bettering present tech by way of refinement and giving it a greater consumer interface.