Apple’s App Store Chief Phil Schiller is all set to join OpenAI’s board later this year. Phil Schiller, who plays a key role at Apple in managing the App Store and events, will secure a nonvoting board seat at OpenAI, strengthening the ties between the two technology giants.
This move comes after Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI during its WWDC event in June. The collaboration aims to make OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot available across Apple devices, integrating it into Siri and various writing tools. With Schiller joining OpenAI’s board, Apple will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the workings of the A.I. company, aligning itself with Microsoft, another major investor in OpenAI with an observer seat on the board.
Schiller’s appointment is not surprising given his long-standing association with Apple and his public defense of the company against antitrust allegations. As an Apple Fellow reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook, Schiller holds a prominent position within the company, overseeing the App Store and events like WWDC.
The collaboration between Apple and OpenAI marks a significant step in the tech industry, with Apple leveraging A.I. technology across its devices. In addition to using ChatGPT, Apple’s new A.I. features under Apple Intelligence will enhance various tools, including emoji-like images, writing options, and drawing tools. The company is also exploring partnerships with other A.I. firms like Google, Anthropic, and Perplexity to further integrate A.I. capabilities into its products.
With Schiller joining OpenAI’s board, Apple follows in the footsteps of Microsoft, which has had a board seat at OpenAI since 2019. Microsoft’s involvement with OpenAI includes a substantial investment in the company, providing computing power and integrating its technology into Microsoft products.
OpenAI’s board consists of prominent figures from various industries, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann. The addition of Schiller to the board further solidifies the collaboration between Apple and OpenAI, paving the way for more innovative A.I. solutions across Apple’s product lineup.
