Apple is developing artificial intelligence (AI) tool including a chatbot that is similar to ChatGPT, Bloomberg reported on July 19.
Company members have reportedly been working on an internal framework for large language models called “Ajax” since 2022. That development in turn led to the creation of an AI chatbot that is internally referred to as “Apple GPT.”
Employees are using the chatbot to summarize text and prototype products. Though the tool’s importance within the company has grown, it is still being used at a small scale: it requires special approval and must not be used to develop features intended for customers. Several teams have supposedly joined together to work on the project, and some recent work is focused on addressing privacy issues that might arise.
Internal tool only
Bloomberg noted that Apple does not yet have any strategy through which it might offer the AI tool to users. It also observed that the company’s main publicly offered AI product to date — the Siri voice assistant — has seen little recent advancement.
It nevertheless noted that the company has made progress with AI in other areas, including advances to photos and search on the iPhone. The company is also expected to introduce an improved version of auto-correct in the near future.
Regardless of whether Apple introduces its AI tools publically, it must compete with other similar tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft’s Bing AI.
Past comments from Apple CEO Tim Cook suggest that the firm plans a gradual introduction of AI. In May 2023, Cook said Apple sees AI as “huge” but noted that the firm “will continue weaving it into [its] products on a very thoughtful basis.”
Apple also recently revealed VR headsets in June, which some believe will build a foundation for the “metaverse” and related digital transactions. In October 2022, Apple released updated App Store guidelines that, despite being controversial, clearly outline policies for crypto and NFT payments. Moreover, in April, Apple users found a copy of the Bitcoin whitepaper embedded within Mac OS systems.
Mentioned in this article
Mike Dalton
Before transitioning to crypto writing in 2018, Mike studied library and information sciences. Currently, he resides on Canada’s West Coast.
Jacob Oliver
Jacob Oliver is a recovering academic and English teacher turned crypto journalist and web3 writer. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.
