Caixin Global, April 27th (Editor: Huang Junzhi) - According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple has reinitiated negotiations with OpenAI, aiming to leverage the technology of this startup to support some new features for the iPhone set to be launched later this year.
Sources indicate that the two companies have begun discussions on the terms of a potential agreement and how OpenAI's functionalities will be integrated into Apple's next-generation iPhone operating system, iOS 18.
This move signifies a rekindling of dialogue between the two companies. Earlier this year, Apple had engaged in discussions with OpenAI over a deal, but since then, their collaboration has been limited. Simultaneously, Apple is reportedly in negotiations with Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., for licensing the use of Google's Gemini chatbot.
Given these developments, it is evident that Apple has not yet finalized its decision on which company to partner with and cannot guarantee reaching an agreement. The company may ultimately strike deals with both OpenAI and Google, or opt for a completely different supplier. Earlier this year, reports also suggested Apple was in discussions with the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
These latest updates come just a month and a half before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, where the company is preparing to unveil new artificial intelligence software and services. Apple CEO Tim Cook previously pledged significant breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence this year, with the upcoming iOS 18 believed to be a key avenue to achieve this goal.
It is anticipated that Siri will be one of the beneficiaries of artificial intelligence enhancements in iOS 18. Insider sources revealed Apple's plans to revolutionize Siri using large language models, aiming to transform it into the "ultimate virtual assistant." Media reports also mentioned a specific feature Apple is developing to enhance Siri's interaction with messaging apps, enabling Siri to more effectively complete sentences and answer complex queries.
Last year, Cook mentioned his personal use of OpenAI's ChatGPT but highlighted "many issues to address." He assured that new artificial intelligence features would enter Apple's platform on a "very considerate basis."
As rumored in the market, Apple's internal focus is primarily on developing small-scale AI features that do not require network connectivity and can run on devices. For more powerful generative AI capabilities, Apple is seeking "mature" partners.
Analysts suggest that relying on partners will help Apple accelerate its entry into the chatbot domain and mitigate certain risks. By outsourcing generative artificial intelligence functions to another company, Cook may alleviate some responsibilities on its platform.
