Apple's Potential Partners for iOS 18 Generative AI Features Include Google, OpenAI, and Baidu

[MacRumors]

Apple has held discussions with Baidu about using the Chinese company's generative AI model to power some of the iPhone's rumored generative AI features, according to The Wall Street Journal. As previously reported, Apple is also said to have held similar discussions with Google and OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot.

If these partnerships move forward, it is likely that Baidu would power some of Apple's generative AI features in China, while other companies like Google or OpenAI would serve as partners in the U.S. and other countries. China requires generative AI models to receive local regulatory approval, and Baidu's Ernie chatbot is on the approved list, but Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbots are not available in the country.

Apple has repeatedly teased that it has generative AI announcements to share later this year, and this likely refers to iOS 18. The software update is rumored to include new generative AI features for a range of iPhone features and apps, including Siri, Spotlight, Apple Music, Health, Messages, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, Shortcuts, and more.

iPhone 16 models are rumored to feature an upgraded Neural Engine with "significantly" more cores, which could result in some of iOS 18's generative AI features being exclusive to those models. iPhone 15 models have a 16-core Neural Engine.

iOS 18 will be previewed at Apple's developers conference WWDC in June, so we're just a few months away from learning about these generative AI plans.

Article Link: Apple's Potential Partners for iOS 18 Generative AI Features Include Google, OpenAI, and Baidu

 

[c84216]

Maybe I don't know better but this is starting to sound like SherlockAI. Not Apple's own AI but something that aggregates results from other AI engines to give you the best selection.

On another note I've complete de-Googleified after some of what I've learned about them. I do not want their AI model hoovering up data from my supposedly "privacy"-tilting phone.

 

[Steve121178]

You'd surely think all this would have been well & truly resolved by now and software engineers would be busy integrating whatever partner they chose into iOS 18/macOS 15 rather than shoehorning it in at the last minute or via a 18.3 software update or whatever.

 

[Steve121178]

Maybe I don't know better but this is starting to sound like SherlockAI. Not Apple's own AI but something that aggregates results from other AI engines to give you the best selection.

On another note I've complete de-Googleified after some of what I've learned about them. I do not want their AI model hoovering up data from my supposedly "privacy"-tilting phone.

You don't even need a Google account for them to hoover up your data. Your profile was built via all the advertising you have been served & the analytics associated with that.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Can’t help but think that this all sounds rushed. Another year of announcing features that barely make it in time for the next WWDC while basic features take a back seat.

 

[JohnRckr]

I thought Apple is making their own AI? So why partner with others?

 

[wilhoitm]

OpenAI needs to diversify, they have all of their eggs in the Microsoft basket and that is never good! OpenAI should form a partnership with Apple just to rattle Microsoft's cage! And contrary to popular belief Microsoft is not an AI powerhouse, they get all of their most important AI technology from OpenAI!

 

[antiprotest]

I thought Apple is making their own AI? So why partner with others?

They spent all their time and money on the vaporware car and snorkel pro and now it's hard to catch up. I hope these partnerships will be temporary.

 

[hoorayforhollywood]

I know this is likely hugely complex, but is this the jist of it: Apple 'teased' numerous times it is has AI stuff to announce this year with iOS 18, and presumably the M4 chip. And is now going around all the people who have existing AI stuff to do deals? Think about that. That's WEAK.

 

[hacky]

Imagine Apple partners with Google.

THAT uncle Google. THAT privacy unfriendly Google. Quite an interesting look that would create.

 

[klasma]

Putting my money on Baidu.

 

[nt5672]

You'd surely think all this would have been well & truly resolved by now and software engineers would be busy integrating whatever partner they chose into iOS 18/macOS 15 rather than shoehorning it in at the last minute or via a 18.3 software update or whatever.

Cook's modus operandi is "shoehorning" to make the Keynote look fabulous. He has been doing it for years. I think Cook gets a massive headache when he tries to look past the current fiscal quarter.

 

[wilhoitm]

I thought Apple is making their own AI? So why partner with others?

Microsoft is partnered with OpenAI! It makes sense to partner and leverage partnerships to make Apple's AI more powerful.

I know this is likely hugely complex, but is this the jist of it: Apple 'teased' numerous times it is has AI stuff to announce this year with iOS 18, and presumably the M4 chip. And is now going around all the people who have existing AI stuff to do deals? Think about that. That's WEAK.

Where do you think Microsoft's AI technology comes from? A partnership with OpenAI.

 

[klasma]

You'd surely think all this would have been well & truly resolved by now and software engineers would be busy integrating whatever partner they chose into iOS 18/macOS 15 rather than shoehorning it in at the last minute or via a 18.3 software update or whatever.

The betas will be alphas, and 18.0 will be the first beta, and 18.9.7 the last.

 

[nt5672]

I thought Apple is making their own AI? So why partner with others?

Finally engineers are standing up and saying "not gonna happen" to Cook while he flails around on the floor screaming, "But I won't get an invite to the Oscars next year!!"

 

[jonnyb]

Apple is working on AI
Apple is partnering with Google to provide some AI features.
Both things can be true at the same time.
Google Maps was the default maps app on iPhone until 2012 (and, arguably, should have been for a bit longer).

 

[nfl46]

I’ll just wait until iOS 18 is previewed in June to learn more. It’s all assumptions at this point.

 

[videosoul]

Imagine Apple partners with Google.

THAT uncle Google. THAT privacy unfriendly Google. Quite an interesting look that would create.

Wouldn’t be that surprising given the relationship for default search engine for years (and maps until they made their own).

 

[hacky]

I know this is likely hugely complex, but is this the jist of it: Apple 'teased' numerous times it is has AI stuff to announce this year with iOS 18, and presumably the M4 chip. And is now going around all the people who have existing AI stuff to do deals? Think about that. That's WEAK.

Exactly! I hoped Apple to bring something innovative into the AI field. Some new serious competition there.

This is really underwhelming.

But I guess better to partner with someone with actually working AI than have another dumb Siri 2.0...

 

[hagar]

They spent all their time and money on the vaporware car and snorkel pro and now it's hard to catch up. I hope these partnerships will be temporary.

It does indeed feel like Apple was completely caught off guard by the recent advancements in AI. Let’s hope we’re wrong and they blow us off our feet.

 

[nt5672]

I thought Apple is making their own AI? So why partner with others?

Evidently Siri 2.0 has failed in the lab and the keynote is looking rather drab at this point.

or

They tried to import the car AI into Siri and it can only respond "Turn left, turn left."

 

[nerdAFK]

Even Baidu???????

Wow, I knew Apple has missed the AI train, but who would've thought they would consider Baidu? 🤯

 

[gigapocket1]

You'd surely think all this would have been well & truly resolved by now and software engineers would be busy integrating whatever partner they chose into iOS 18/macOS 15 rather than shoehorning it in at the last minute or via a 18.3 software update or whatever.

I’m pretty sure Apple has been developing for all 3 at the same time. At this rate. The EU won’t let Apple be exclusive with one company lol

 

[sunny5]

It only proves that Apple sucks for developing AI.

 

[peneaux]

Apparently will be Google. They have money to pay Apple to disregard Apple’s privacy statements.

Privacy is a fundamental didn’t. Unless you get paid billions.