Apple has released iOS 18, their newest operating system. It brings a bunch of fresh features that are powered by artificial intelligence (AI). One of these features is Apple Intelligence, a collection of AI tools that aim to enhance user experience. Additionally, iOS 18 integrates with ChatGPT, a well-known AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. With this integration, users have the option to utilize ChatGPT for various tasks such as generating images, providing writing assistance, and even redirecting Siri requests.
Yet, not everyone is happy about this AI-powered integration. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has expressed worries, calling the OpenAI integration a “security breach.” As a result, he has threatened to prohibit Apple devices from his companies due to concerns about data sharing in AI. Musk has even proposed that visitors to his companies may need to keep their Apple devices in Faraday cages to stop any unauthorized data transfer.
Elon Musk, CEO of X, Space X, and Tesla, does not approve of Apple's integration of OpenAI's technology at the OS level | Credit: Elon Musk on X
He went on to criticize Apple's decision to partner with OpenAI for Apple Intelligence and expressed his disappointment that Apple didn't create their own AI. Additionally, he questioned Apple's capability to safeguard its users' security and privacy from OpenAI.
Musk's intense response may be due to his position as the leader of xAI, a direct rival of OpenAI. This competitive environment brings more complexity to the situation, leading to concerns about possible biases and conflicts of interest.
Even though there are worries, Apple made sure that users have control over the ChatGPT integration. Users can choose whether or not to use these features and have to give permission for them to work. The integration works like the standalone ChatGPT app, providing similar features but with added convenience on iOS.
Apple mentioned that this is only the start of their AI journey. They plan to include other third-party AI providers in the future, which could result in a more varied and dynamic AI experience for iOS users. For business users, Apple's focus on privacy and security indicates that standard device management controls may allow them to limit ChatGPT and Apple Intelligence features. This could help address worries about data security and compliance in work environments.
It is not clear if Musk fully understands the AI integration in Apple Intelligence and its technical implications for security and ethics. Nevertheless, as this debate goes on, it is expected that reactions like these will persist and scrutiny of Apple's data handling will intensify.
