Apple Quietly Developing AI Tools to Compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard
Apple has reportedly been working on its own artificial intelligence (AI) tools in an effort to catch up with competitors like OpenAI Inc. and Google. The company is said to have built its own framework, known as Ajax, to create large language models similar to the AI systems used in OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. Additionally, Apple has developed its own chatbot service, internally referred to as Apple GPT.
The push for AI at Apple has become a major undertaking, with multiple teams collaborating on the project. The company is focused on addressing privacy concerns associated with AI technology, as it seeks to keep pace with the advancements made by other industry players.
While Apple has incorporated AI features into its products for years, it has fallen behind in the market for generative tools that can create essays, images, and videos based on text prompts. The popularity of these tools has led to a surge in related products, leaving Apple playing catch-up.
In public statements, Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged the potential of AI but emphasized the need for caution. Cook stated that there are still issues that need to be resolved before implementing AI on a broader scale. However, he did mention that Apple is closely monitoring ChatGPT and considering its use.
Realizing the transformative potential of generative AI, Apple has laid the groundwork for its own AI services using the Ajax framework. This system has already been employed to enhance search, Siri, and maps, and now serves as the foundation for Apple’s internal ChatGPT-style tool.
While employees are already utilizing the chatbot app for product prototyping and data summarization, it cannot be used to develop features for customers. The app’s stripped-down design and lack of novel features signal that Apple currently has no plans to release it to the public. However, the company is actively working on improving its underlying models.
Apple is still figuring out the consumer applications for generative AI and is exploring several initiatives in this area. The company has formed cross-team efforts involving its AI, software engineering, and cloud services engineering groups to develop significant new features. According to insiders, Apple aims to make a noteworthy AI-related announcement next year.
Leading these efforts are John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of machine learning and AI, and Craig Federighi, the top software engineering executive. However, there is reportedly some division within Apple regarding the approach to AI. Giannandrea prefers a more conservative approach, wanting to observe how recent developments from other players evolve.
In the past, Apple has made strategic acquisitions, like Beats, to keep up with emerging trends. With AI projects now in focus, it remains to be seen if Apple will acquire talent or companies to expedite its advancements in the field.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Apple is making efforts to remain competitive and meet the evolving demands of its users. With Apple’s vast user base and revenue from its devices, keeping up with AI advancements is crucial to ensure the company’s continued success in the rapidly changing tech industry.
