Business

Apple incorporates ChatGPT into iPhone’s Siri in major AI drive

Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the 'Wonderlust' event at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California, US, on September 12, 2023. (Reuters)

By Alfred Onyango | Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Updates to its iPhone and Mac operating systems will allow access to ChatGPT through a partnership with developer OpenAI.

Technology firm and iPhone maker Apple has announced the incorporation of OpenAI's ChatGPT in its Siri voice assistant and operating systems as it seeks to catch up in the AI race.

The makeover announcement was made on Monday during its annual developers show.

Keep reading

The phone manufacturer claims that the invention is a component of a new customised artificial intelligence system dubbed "Apple Intelligence," which seeks to give customers an easier way to utilise Apple products.

Updates to its iPhone and Mac operating systems will allow access to ChatGPT through a partnership with developer OpenAI.

ChatGPT can also be used to augment other tools, including text and content production.

The test version will become available in the autumn, sometime in September.

Apple CEO Tim Cook commended the advancement, saying the move would bring his company's products to new heights.

Despite the development, there was a cool reaction from the markets as Apple's share price fell by 1.91 per cent on the day of the announcement.

The partnership was also not welcomed by Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and X, who has threatened to ban iPhones from his companies due to data security.

"Apple has no clue what's actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They are selling you down the river," Musk said on X.

Apple is yet to respond to his allegations.

Smartphone maker Samsung also mocked its rival's announcement. "Adding 'Apple' doesn't make it new or groundbreaking. Welcome to AI," it posted on X.

The more pressing question and challenge for Apple will therefore be whether its new AI tools will enable it to overtake competitors who have embraced the technology more quickly.