Apple brings ChatGPT to iPhones and Siri in AI overhaul | EUROtoday

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By Zoe Kleinman, Technology editorLiv McMahon, Technology reporter

Reuters Apple boss Tim Cook pictured on-stage at WWDC 2024Reuters

Apple boss Tim Cook pictured on-stage at WWDC 2024

Apple is to spice up its Siri voice assistant and working methods with OpenAI’s ChatGPT because it seeks to catch up within the AI race.

The iPhone maker introduced the Siri makeover together with numerous different new options at its annual builders present on Monday.

It is a part of a brand new personalised AI system – referred to as “Apple Intelligence” – that goals to supply customers a method to navigate Apple gadgets extra simply.

Updates to its iPhone and Mac working methods will enable entry to ChatGPT by way of a partnership with developer OpenAI.

ChatGPT can be used to spice up different instruments, together with textual content and content material technology. The check model will grow to be out there within the autumn.

Tim Cook, Apple chief government, mentioned the transfer would carry his firm’s merchandise “to new heights” as he opened the Worldwide Developers Conference on the tech large’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The announcement was not welcomed by all. Elon Musk, the proprietor of Tesla and Twitter/X, threatened to ban iPhones from his corporations as a result of “data security”.

“Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI,” Mr Musk mentioned on X. “They’re selling you down the river.”

Apple has confronted stress to introduce new AI options to its merchandise after the speedy rise of rivals who’ve adopted the expertise.

After it was usurped by Microsoft because the world’s most precious firm in January, Apple was overtaken once more by Nvidia in early June.

Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, mentioned that whereas Apple’s new private AI system “should help placate nervous investors”, its ChatGPT integration might reveal and create deeper issues for the agency.

“Arguably this sees Apple admitting its limitations given ChatGPT will kick in at a point where Siri is no longer able to help a user,” he informed the BBC.

Apple has been largely absent within the avalanche of AI merchandise launched by tech corporations in current months.

Mr Cook informed buyers in 2023 that the corporate would method the tech with care. On Monday, these plans had been lastly laid out.

What is ‘Apple Intelligence’?

“Apple Intelligence” isn’t a product nor an app in its personal proper.

It will grow to be a part of each app and Apple product clients use – whether or not it’s a writing assistant refining your message drafts or your diary having the ability to present you the perfect path to get to your subsequent appointment.

In that sense, it’s just like Microsoft’s AI assistant Copilot – however you gained’t should pay further to activate it.

Siri, the voice assistant Apple acquired in 2010, has been refreshed with a brand new interface and chattier method to assist customers navigate their gadgets and apps extra seamlessly.

Apple was eager to emphasize the safety of Apple Intelligence throughout Monday’s keynote.

Some processing will probably be carried out on the machine itself, whereas bigger actions requiring extra energy will probably be despatched to the cloud – however no information will probably be saved there, it mentioned.

This is significant to clients who pay premium costs for Apple’s privateness guarantees.

The system “puts powerful generative models right at the core of your iPhone, iPad and Mac,” mentioned Apple senior vice chairman of software program engineering Craig Federighi.

“It draws on your personal context to give you intelligence that’s most helpful and relevant for you, and it protects your privacy at every step.”

What does OpenAI and Apple deal imply?

Apple’s resolution to combine OpenAI’s ChatGPT tech had been broadly anticipated however it’s an uncommon transfer for an organization that so carefully guards its personal merchandise.

Google and Microsoft have just lately confronted scrutiny over errors made by their AI merchandise in current months, with the search large rolling again a brand new function in May after its misguided solutions went viral.

For years Apple additionally refused to permit its clients to obtain any apps outdoors of the App Store on the grounds that they may not be safe, and wouldn’t enable any net browser aside from its personal Safari for a similar purpose.

It solely modified when pressured to by EU laws.

Is it an indication of recognition that even Apple can’t compete with ChatGPT proper now?

If so, it tells us lots in regards to the present energy of the AI supergiant OpenAI.

The agency did say it will combine different merchandise in future, however didn’t title any.

Apple introduced that its combined actuality headset, the Vision Prowill go on sale within the UK on 12 July. It has been out there within the US since February.

Other new options introduced on Monday embrace:

  • sending texts by way of satellite tv for pc
  • scheduling messages to ship at a later level
  • utilizing head gestures (nodding for sure or shaking head for no) to regulate AirPods Pro
  • a devoted app for passwords that’s accessible throughout gadgets
  • the flexibility to cover sure apps or lock them away behind Face ID or passcodes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nn5mejl89o