Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, is making waves again. This time, he’s threatening to ban Apple devices from his companies if Apple integrates OpenAI technology directly into its operating system with the iOS 18 announcement.
Musk Calls Apple’s OpenAI Integration a Security Risk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 10, 2024
Musk considers this a security risk. He called it an “unacceptable security violation” in a post on his social media platform, X. He even proposed that visitors to his companies leave their Apple devices at the door. Store these devices in a Faraday cage, a metal box that blocks electromagnetic signals.
This comes after Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI to bring OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to its devices. Apple emphasised its commitment to user privacy, stating that it built its AI features with privacy “at the core” and will utilise a combination of on-device processing and secure cloud computing.
Musk Questions Apple’s Security Claims
However, Musk remains unconvinced. He questions Apple’s ability to ensure user security and privacy while relying on a third-party like OpenAI. Industry experts believe it’s unlikely other companies will follow Musk’s lead. Apple, they say, is trying to educate users about the security of private cloud storage.
Musk’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI and His Own AI Venture
This situation has a deeper backstory. Earlier this year, Elon Musk sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging they strayed from the organisation’s original mission of developing ethical AI that benefits humanity. This move seems connected to Musk’s own venture, xAI, a startup he founded to rival OpenAI and develop its own AI technology.
xAI’s Success Hints at a Brewing AI Rivalry
xAI was recently valued at USD24 billion after a successful funding round. It appears Musk is serious about challenging OpenAI in the AI race. Only time will tell how this feud between tech giants plays out. The impact on the future of AI development remains to be seen.
Source: TweakTown
