Apple is set to integrate advanced chatbot functionality into iOS 18, according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. This move comes courtesy of a new deal with OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT tool. Gurman expects the partnership to be a major focus at Apple’s upcoming WWDC developer event in June.
Apple and OpenAI bringing AI to iOS 18?
Interestingly, Apple seems to be hedging its bets in the AI space. While OpenAI will provide the initial chatbot tech, Gurman suggests Apple is still negotiating with Google to potentially offer its own chatbot, Gemini, as an alternative. This aligns with previous rumours about Apple developing its own on-device AI model, codenamed Ajax, for tasks like text analysis and summaries.
The implication is that Apple will leverage ChatGPT and other OpenAI tech for more demanding tasks, possibly including analysing longer text passages or generating images. This approach allows Apple to immediately enhance its AI offerings with a proven solution from OpenAI while it continues to develop its own in-house capabilities. The strategy mirrors Apple’s past move with mapping – initially relying on Google Maps before launching its own Apple Maps service.
With the OpenAI deal, Apple gains a significant boost to its AI features in iOS 18. This not only elevates the user experience but also buys Apple valuable time to refine its own AI technologies before potentially offering them as alternatives in the future.
