OpenAI’s reported decision to let Apple sit in on its board meetings has raised eyebrows in the tech industry. This move comes after a tumultuous period that saw the brief ouster of CEO Sam Altman, prompting OpenAI to revamp its board structure. Key partner Microsoft was granted a non-voting observer seat to prevent any more surprises after the Altman incident, which had blindsided the tech giant.
Now, Apple is joining as another non-voting observer, represented by App Store chief Phil Schiller. Although Apple has not invested in OpenAI financially, they are incorporating OpenAI’s models into their devices free of charge as part of their agreement. The addition of Apple to the board raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, as Microsoft and Apple are longtime rivals set to utilize OpenAI’s models in their competing AI assistants.
The increasing involvement of both Microsoft and Apple in OpenAI’s operations suggests that they are hedging their bets amid shifting dynamics in the AI sector. While Microsoft has been making strategic moves by absorbing talent from other startups and developing their AI models, OpenAI seems to be asserting its independence. Reports indicate that OpenAI is generating more revenue from selling model access directly than Microsoft. Apple, on the other hand, appears to be elevating OpenAI’s status, hinting at the progress of its top-tier AI model development.
As all three companies remain tight-lipped about these developments, the tech world eagerly anticipates how this partnership will unfold. With potential implications for the future of AI technology, the collaboration between OpenAI, Microsoft, and Apple will undoubtedly shape the landscape of artificial intelligence in the years to come.
