According to reports, Apple is developing its AI-driven chatbot, ‘Apple GPT,’ based on its language model framework, Ajax, and leveraging Google’s Jax framework. However, the company has not finalized a consumer release strategy yet.
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Apple is currently developing its AI-driven chatbot, which has the potential to rival those offered by OpenAI and other companies. However, Apple has not yet finalized a clear plan for releasing this technology to consumers.
As stated in the report, Apple’s ‘Apple GPT’ chatbot utilizes its proprietary large language model framework called “Ajax,” specifically designed to expedite machine learning research. The report also emphasizes that AI has become a significant focus for the iPhone maker, involving collaboration from multiple teams. Additionally, efforts are being made to tackle potential privacy concerns associated with the technology.
Apple’s Ajax system is constructed on Google Jax, Google’s machine learning framework. This system operates on Google Cloud, which Apple employs to support its cloud services, in addition to its internal infrastructure and Amazon.com Inc.’s AWS.
In recent times, AI technology has captivated both consumers and businesses, leading to a surge in related products flooding the market. While tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Google swiftly released their own generative AI offerings, Apple has been notably absent.
While Apple has incorporated AI features into its products for years, it is now striving to catch up in the rapidly growing market for generative tools. These tools can create essays, images, and videos based on text prompts. Although the Siri voice assistant, Apple’s primary AI product, has seen limited progress in recent years, the company has made significant advancements in other areas, such as enhancing photos and search on the iPhone. Additionally, a smarter version of auto-correct is slated to arrive on its mobile devices later this year.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that AI is an area of intense interest for the company. He expressed some apprehension about the influx of new AI services flooding the market. While recognizing the potential of the technology, Cook emphasized the need to address several issues before full implementation. He assured that Apple plans to integrate AI into more of its products but with a deliberate and thoughtful approach.
Behind the scenes, as per the Bloomberg report, Apple has been growing increasingly concerned about potentially missing out on a critical shift in device functionality. Generative AI holds the promise of revolutionizing how people interact with phones, computers, and other technologies. Given Apple’s substantial revenue of nearly $320 billion from its devices in the last fiscal year, the company understands the importance of keeping pace with AI advancements to maintain its competitive edge.
To establish its AI services, Apple laid the groundwork by developing the Ajax framework and an internal ChatGPT-like tool. Ajax was introduced recently with the aim of streamlining machine learning development across Apple. The company has already utilized this system to enhance search, Siri, and maps through AI-related improvements. Additionally, Ajax serves as the foundation for creating large language models for internal use.
Apple is actively exploring various consumer-oriented applications for generative AI. Collaborative efforts between its AI and software engineering groups, along with the cloud services engineering team, are underway to support any potential significant features. While a concrete plan is yet to be finalized, sources familiar with the project indicate that Apple is planning to make a noteworthy AI-related announcement next year.
