Is there a possibility that ChatGPT could alleviate Apple's issues in the AI sector?
In a noteworthy turn of events, Apple is considering integrating external language models from Anthropic and OpenAI into its virtual assistant, Siri. This potential shift, if implemented, would mark a departure from Apple's long-standing practice of developing AI technology in-house.
The discussions with both Anthropic and OpenAI involve evaluating the potential of their models to enhance Siri's capabilities. Apple has requested customized versions of these models to run on its proprietary cloud infrastructure, ensuring user privacy by leveraging its own servers.
Preliminary negotiations with Anthropic have shown promising results, particularly with Anthropic's Claude technology, which is considered well-suited to meet Siri's requirements. Apple is also maintaining contact with OpenAI to keep its options open.
The decision to consider external AI models comes after Apple faced delays and challenges in developing its in-house AI solutions. Siri has been criticized for lagging behind other AI assistants, and executives believe that partnering with external providers could accelerate improvements.
This strategic shift could lead to significant enhancements in Siri's functionality, potentially bringing it more in line with competitors like Google and OpenAI. However, the move also acknowledges that Apple's internal AI development has struggled to keep pace with the industry.
A deal with Anthropic or OpenAI would be a costly one, with Anthropic seeking a multibillion-dollar annual listing fee, with a steep year-on-year increase. The exact terms of any potential agreement between Apple and either company have not been disclosed.
This news comes as Apple is still planning to ship an enhanced Siri next spring, but its own models won't be ready to support the promised contextual intelligence and app control. Despite plans to release a next-gen Siri powered by its own models in 2026, Apple is now openly testing alternatives.
The major Siri update, initially planned for release earlier this year, has been quietly delayed. The shift towards external AI models may be a response to these delays and the challenges faced in developing Apple's own AI technology.
The internal morale within Apple's AI ranks is under pressure, with key departures and employees receiving offers from competitors like Meta and OpenAI for multimillion-dollar packages. The deliberations began under the watch of Mike Rockwell, who took over Siri engineering in March, and John Giannandrea, who was brought in to lead Apple's AI efforts in 2018, has seen his portfolio shrink, and the Siri project has been taken out of his hands.
Apple seems to be pursuing a hybrid strategy, with a licensing deal serving as a bridge while its own models mature, and a long-term goal of retaining full ownership of the intelligence inside its product offerings. The company has been careful to maintain control over data privacy, ensuring that any external model runs on its own cloud infrastructure.
As these developments unfold, it remains to be seen how Apple's strategic shift towards external AI models will impact Siri and the wider AI landscape. The company's move towards partnerships could signal a new era in AI development, where collaboration and innovation play a more significant role.
- Apple's discussions with both Anthropic and OpenAI revolve around evaluating the potential of their artificial-intelligence models to boost Siri's capabilities, signifying a shift away from Apple's traditional practice of in-house AI technology development.
- The Claude technology from Anthropic, currently under consideration, is well-suited to meet Siri's requirements, marking a significant step in the implementation of external technology and artificial-intelligence into Apple's virtual assistant.
