Apple Teams Up with OpenAI for ChatGPT-Powered Conversations in iOS 18

Rumors have been circulating for some time that Apple has been in talks with OpenAI and Google, aiming to integrate their artificial intelligence technology into the iOS system. The focus of this fall's iOS 18 system is indeed on AI-related features.

Bloomberg reported today that Apple has finalized an agreement with OpenAI to provide a customized chatbot for Apple, allowing users to obtain information through natural language conversations with the chatbot on their iPhones.

This chatbot is evidently powered by ChatGPT, and while it can converse with users online, it is not usable offline.

While the agreement between the two parties has been finalized, Bloomberg mentioned that the specifics are still under discussion. It is currently unclear how ChatGPT-related functionalities will be integrated and offered.

Apple is also developing its own AI technologies, preferring that AI-related functions be executed locally to enhance privacy and security by ensuring data does not get sent to the cloud. However, Apple's AI development has been relatively slow. If Apple does not offer AI technology in iOS and the iPhone this year, it would undoubtedly miss out on the current trend.

Therefore, Apple plans to provide some locally executed AI features in iOS 18, leveraging the computational power of the Apple A series chips. These features might not be as striking, so Apple still needs support from OpenAI and Google.

On another front, Apple is still negotiating with Google to use Google's developed Gemini chatbot, but the two parties have not yet reached an agreement, possibly requiring more time for discussions.

Apple will hold the WWDC 2024 developer conference in June, where they will launch the iOS 18 developer preview. Thus, new AI-related features are naturally expected to be revealed at WWDC 2024.