While major tech companies are in a fierce race to build generative AI tools, they are cautious about revealing their secrets. In an effort to prevent all of its data from ending up with competitors, Apple has restricted its internal use of tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft-owned GitHub’s Copilot, according to a new report.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is concerned that its confidential data will end up with developers who have trained the models on user data. Notably, OpenAI launched the official ChatGPT app on iOS on Thursday. Separately, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman tweeted that the chatbot has been on Apple’s list of restricted software for months.
In May, Samsung also banned employees from using generative AI tools like ChatGPT after reportedly recording three separate incidents where they passed proprietary company data to the chatbot.
Other organizations, including banks, want to Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, walmartand telecom giant Verizon have also restricted access to ChatGPT for their staff.
The WSJ report noted that Apple is developing its own generative AI models, but did not elaborate on what they could be used for. However, recent job postings indicate that Apple is on the hunt for generative AI talent. In March, The New York Times reported that several teams in Apple, including the one working on Siri, are experimenting with language-generating AI.
Apple dabbled with generative AI itself when it released AI-powered book stories in January. Since AI was the core theme of the just concluded Google IO developer conference, all eyes will be on Apple to make some AI-related announcements at the upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) next month.
