In less than two weeks, the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 (WWDC 2024) will begin. As The Information resource has learned, it will announce Apple’s deal with OpenAI, whose AI technologies will be used to expand the functionality of the Siri voice assistant and, possibly, transform it into an AI chatbot.
The Genesis of the Apple-OpenAI Partnership
Earlier, there were rumors that Apple was negotiating with OpenAI about using GPT technology in iOS 18. According to The Information sources, negotiations between the two companies have been going on for about a year. Employees from Apple’s machine learning team met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other company employees in mid-2023 at last year’s WWDC conference. It is unknown what the conversation was about, but the parties subsequently reached an agreement to provide Apple employees with access to the OpenAI API for internal testing.
“In these tests, Apple engineers connected ChatGPT to Siri, creating an impressive demonstration of how Siri handles more complex queries than usual, including by better understanding the context of what users are saying,” The Information reported. In turn, the resource 9to5Mac said that it found evidence in the iOS 17.4 code of Apple’s use of APIs that could even help Siri translate in real time. We’ll keep you updated on further developments as they emerge.
Microsoft’s Concerns and Strategic Adjustments
According to The Information, Microsoft is concerned about the partnership between Apple and OpenAI. Microsoft has a collaboration agreement with OpenAI, under which the latter provides the AI technology that powers Copilot, and Microsoft provides its data centers to OpenAI to support ChatGPT.
The Information claims that Altman recently met with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about this issue. Microsoft is also concerned about how to meet demand for servers as Apple launches new features for iPhone and iPad users. It also offered OpenAI a cut in future profits to compensate for its previous $13 billion investment in the startup, adds NIX Solutions.
As WWDC 2024 approaches, the tech world is keenly anticipating the official announcement and the potential advancements in AI that could redefine user interaction with Siri. Stay tuned as we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news from the conference.