Oliver Haslam on April 30, 2024, 2:25 pm

Apple And OpenAI Once Again In Talks Over iOS 18 Generative AI Features

Apple is expected to announce the iOS 18 software update at WWDC on June 10 and the company is expected to bring some big new AI features to the mix.

As part of the work to make that happen we’ve been hearing of Apple’s discussions with various companies including OpenAI and Google, and now it seems discussions with the former are back on.

Wile Apple’s iOS 18 features are initially expected to run using Apple’s own large language models and generative AI on-device, Apple is thought to be looking beyond that and into the future. Now, a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman notes that Apple is in talks with ChatGPT maker OpenAI about using its server-based chatbot technology.

Apple Inc. has renewed discussions with OpenAI about using the startup’s technology to power some new features coming to the iPhone later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.

The report goes on to say that the two companies have been looking at the possibility of a deal that would put OpenAI features into Apple’s iOS 18 and other software. Apple is also reportedly still in discussions with Google about using its Gemini chatbot technology.

It still isn’t clear what Apple’s new AI features will be, however.

The next iPhone operating system will include several new features based on Apple’s in-house large language model — AI software that can generate human-sounding text — but the company also has been seeking partners to power a chatbot-like feature akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Bloomberg first reported in March on the discussions, which have included AI startup Anthropic as well.

If Apple sticks to its own tried and tested scheduled we can expect the company to announce the iOS 18 software during the WWDC event and then immediately make the first developer beta available. Then, a months-long beta process will likely take place before Apple releases iOS 18 to the public in September.