ChatGPT coming to iPhones: Apple inks Deal with OpenAI for iOS 18

Just weeks after initial reports suggested that Apple was planning to integrate ChatGPT into its next iPhone, Bloomberg confirmed over the weekend that Apple and OpenAI have reached a deal for OpenAI to provide chatbot functionality in iOS 18. The partnership will be the highlight of Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

While Apple appears to be moving forward with OpenAI, the iPhone maker is still in talks with Google to potentially offer its Gemini AI model as an alternative, although it is not the primary option, Bloomberg said. This move mirrors Apple’s earlier strategy of supporting Google Maps before eventually launching its own Apple Maps.

The collaboration with OpenAI will enable Apple to enhance its chatbot capabilities while continuing to develop its own proprietary technology. However, the partnership is not without risk, as Bloomberg pointed out.

“Apple is in a challenging position. It needs to convince consumers and investors that it’s doing exciting things in AI. But the company is following major AI announcements from Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and OpenAI, which have stolen the spotlight,” Bloomberg wrote in its newsletter.

With June’s WWDC event just around the corner where Apple is poised to unveil its AI game plan, all eyes are on Apple, eagerly awaiting Apple’s big AI revelations.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is set to introduce a suite of new AI capabilities with the release of iOS 18 and macOS 15. Both operating systems will feature innovative software that intelligently decides whether tasks should be processed locally on the device or in the cloud. The majority of on-device functionalities will be supported by the latest iPhone, iPad, and Mac chips released over the past year. Meanwhile, the cloud-based components will be powered by M2 Ultra chips housed in Apple’s data centers.

Among the upcoming features are tools for transcribing voice memos, AI-powered photo retouching, and enhancements to the Spotlight search function, promising faster and more reliable results. Safari will see improved web search capabilities, and users can expect automatic reply suggestions for emails and text messages.

Siri, Apple’s personal assistant, is also receiving significant upgrades. It will boast more natural-sounding interactions, leveraging Apple’s proprietary large language models, which underpin their generative AI technologies. Additionally, a more advanced version of Siri will be available on the Apple Watch, facilitating on-the-go tasks. Developer tools, including Xcode, are slated for AI enhancements as well, expanding the capabilities of app creators.

Why does it matter? Well, buckle up, folks, because Apple’s AI revolution is on the horizon. With the likes of OpenAI, Google, and potentially Apple’s in-house AI all vying for a spot in iOS 18, we could be witnessing the dawn of the next ‘ChatGPT moment’ in AI adoption. And with over 1.4 billion iPhone users worldwide, the impact could be seismic.

This partnership with OpenAI comes hot on the heels of Apple’s announcement in October of a $1 billion annual investment in integrating generative AI across its product lineup. Apple is pulling out all the stops to close the gap with the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.