Apple is strongly expected to debut the iOS 18 iPhone software update at an event that will take place in June and that WWDC 2024 event will likely also see Apple take the wraps off a ton of new software updates for its other hardware platforms, too. But it's iOS 18 that most people are interested in, and the software is tipped to include some big new AI features. As part of the plans for those features, it seems that Apple is increasingly likely to turn to another company to provide some of its smarts.
Apple was reportedly previously in discussions with OpenAI and Google about using their respective chatbot technologies in iOS 18 and now a new report suggests that OpenAI's talks are once again underway. Apple is also thought to continue to be talking to Google about its own Gemini chatbot technology, too. This news comes following the claim that talks between Apple and OpenAI had been slow since the turn of the year, but they now appear to be back underway.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, writing in the weekly Power On newsletter, says that Apple is yet to make a decision as to whether it will work with OpenAI or Google for its upcoming AI features. The report goes on to say that Apple may choose to work with both of the partners, while there is always the possibility that a third party could be added to the mix as well.
The iOS 18 software update is expected to include a number of new features that are based on AI, but they'll use Apple's in-house large language model rather than those offered by other companies. HOwever, it's thought that Apple would rather use a third party for some of the more advanced, chatbot-like features. With OpenAI's success having launched the ChatGPT software it's understandable that the company would be towards the top of Apple's list of potential partners.
The iOS 18 software may be announced in June, but it won't be made available to the public until much later in the year. A months-long beta process is expected to begin on June 10 while the update isn't likely to be made available for everyone to download until September. That's also when Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro hardware. Apple is also expected to unveil new Apple Watch X and refreshed Apple Watch Ultra wearables at that time as well.
