OpenAI “excited” as it confirms Apple partnership and strengths management team
OpenAI is set to power Apple’s new suite of AI services, integrating ChatGPT across iPhones, iPads and Macs.
Today, at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference 2024 (WWDC24), the much-speculated new partnership was confirmed.
Its intended that the integration of will allow users to access ChatGPT’s capabilities, including image and document understanding, without needing to switch between tools.
Siri, Apple’s voice-interacting ‘personal assistant’, will soon be enhanced using ChatGPT AI models.
"We're excited to partner with Apple to bring ChatGPT to their users in a new way,” OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said in a statement.
“Apple shares our commitment to safety and innovation, and this partnership aligns with OpenAI's mission to make advanced AI accessible to everyone.
“Together with Apple, we're making it easier for people to benefit from what AI can offer."
The OpenAI integration is slated to be available for Apple users later this year. It is expected to allow users to access ChatGPT for free, without creating an account, while subscribers can access paid features directly from Apple’s platforms.
Separately, OpenAI in parallel announced key management appointments – adding Sarah Friar as chief financial officer (CFO) and Kevin Weil as chief product officer (CPO).
Friar was formerly chief financial officer at Square, Jack Dorsey’s digital payments firm, and before that roles at firms including Goldman Sachs and Salesforce.
Weil, meanwhile, joins from Planet Labs – he was a co-founder of the Libra cryptocurrency and a product VP at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
“The product team at OpenAI has set the pace for both breakthrough innovation and thoughtful deployment of AI products,” Weil said in a statement.
“I am thrilled to be part of the next phase of growth, as we continue to safely and responsibly build towards AGI.”
Sam Altman, meanwhile, added: “Sarah and Kevin bring a depth of experience that will enable OpenAI to scale our operations, set a strategy for the next phase of growth, and ensure that our teams have the resources they need to continue to thrive.”
