Generative AI technology has taken the world by storm, and Apple is possibly the only smartphone company that is taking the time to introduce its rendition. The company is far behind in the field as it is asking for help from OpenAI and Google to implement their products in iOS 18 and other updates. A new report sheds light on Apple's forthcoming AI chatbot and how users can opt-in to use the service, but the reason behind the approach might not be user consent.
AI in iOS 18 will be offered as an opt-in service seeking user consent and avoiding controversy
Since the beginning of this year, we have heard rumors that the Cupertino giant has been looking around to partner with AI-first companies such as OpenAI to integrate the technology into its future products. While details were scarce initially, it was recently reported that both companies have reached an agreement to bring AI to iOS 18 and additional updates. Bloomberg now states that AI features will be available as an opt-in service, which means that you can choose your way out of the deal and use your iPhone without an AI chatbot.
This notion has posed a handful of questions from both ends. OpenAI is reportedly helping Apple bring Siri to the next level, and it is possibly using the technology to develop its custom chatbot as well. The company executives coined that in case of a "rogue chatbot," the company would have to adhere to the reputational damages. This means that while Apple enjoys the benefits of the experienced chatbot, any mishap that closely resembles Google's AI overview disaster would have to be dealt with by OpenAI.
The report stated that folks over at Apple have also shown resistance, which would lead to the company offering an AI chatbot as an opt-in service. Apple believes that users have been expecting an AI-powered chatbot in iOS 18 for a while, and integrating third-party service could allow it to steer clear of any potential mishaps. This means that users will be given a choice if they wish to use the service they can, but with a disclaimer and their consent.
Since generative AI is being pushed in its first wave, we expect some errors to be part of the whole deal; however, it is not an ideal intro to a feature that has been in the rumor mill for almost a year. Apple is expanding its efforts to integrate AI into Siri, and the virtual assistant will finally play a competing role against giants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and even OpenAI's voice feature. It is too early to draw the final word for what the AI chatbot will be like and what kinds of rogue behavior can be expected from AI, so be sure to take the news with a grain of salt.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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