ChatGPT Integration Fortifies Apple’s Siri and Writing Tools

Device giant Apple announced Monday a response to attention-grabbing generative AI moves from Google and Microsoft by teaming up with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT across its platforms.

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The iPhone maker will enhance Siri with ChatGPT, enabling the digital assistant to give detailed responses by tapping into the knowledge base of generative AI. Apple said it’ll ensure widespread availability of ChatGPT’s capabilities by offering it to users for free while providing optional paid features (see: ISMG Editors: Apple’s Antitrust Showdown With the Feds).

“There are already some really impressive chat tools out there,” Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said during a video presentation. “But these tools know very little about you and your needs.”

Apple said users can now ask Siri to help them plan a five-course meal with the ingredients they have. Siri then offers to use ChatGPT to generate detailed meal plans, which in a demo resulted in a first course of tomato and basil bruschetta. Apple’s AI capabilities allow users to perform tasks like asking their iPhone to play specific podcasts or other media based on contextual understanding.

Apple said it has put enhanced privacy measures in place such as obscuring user IP addresses. Apple said users are prompted for permission before Siri sends any queries, documents or photos to ChatGPT.

“You’ll be able to access ChatGPT for free, without creating an account. Your requests and information will not be logged,” Federighi said. “Of course, you’re in control over when ChatGPT is used, and be asked before any information is shared.”

Apple has said it plans to run most AI features on devices to maintain privacy, with complex functions handled in special data centers equipped with the company’s in-house chips. The company historically used AI in capacities like image recognition in Photos and health monitoring features in Apple Watch, but recent advancements in generative AI have been led by other companies like Google and Microsoft.

Even though Apple is later to the game than rivals, the company claims its AI tools are superior due to their deep integration into the company’s software, which allows for a more seamless user experience. Apple said ChatGPT will be integrated into the company’s systemwide writing tools, helping users generate content and images in various styles directly within applications like Pages.

Apple’s partnership with OpenAI may attract regulatory scrutiny due to antitrust concerns, particularly considering the company’s ongoing legal battles and increased oversight by U.S. and European regulators of large tech partnerships (see: US Regulators Intensify Antitrust Scrutiny of AI Developers).