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In a dramatic twist following Apple's WWDC 2024, Elon Musk has threatened to ban iPhones from all his companies due to Apple's new integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into Siri and other apps. Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval, stating that if Apple embeds OpenAI at the OS level, employees and visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they’ll be stored in a Faraday cage.
Musk’s reaction stems from concerns about user privacy and data security. He believes OpenAI's integration could potentially compromise personal and private data, despite assurances from both Apple and OpenAI that user consent is required before any data is shared with ChatGPT. Apple clarified that Siri will ask for permission before sending any questions, documents, or photos to ChatGPT for responses, keeping the user in control of their data.
In iOS 18, users will be able to ask Siri questions, and if ChatGPT can provide a more detailed answer, Siri will request permission to share the query with ChatGPT and then deliver the response. This seamless integration aims to make ChatGPT's capabilities easily accessible without needing to open a separate app. Users can even send photos, PDFs, or other documents for ChatGPT’s assistance.
Musk, however, prefers that OpenAI's capabilities remain confined to a dedicated app, not integrated into Siri. In response to Sam Pullara, CTO at Sutter Hill Ventures, who explained that users approve specific requests on a case-by-case basis, Musk retorted, "Then leave it as an app. This is bullshit."
Further expressing his concerns, Musk responded to a post from YouTuber Marques Brownlee, arguing that Apple's claim of protecting privacy while integrating third-party AI is contradictory. He also directed his criticism at Apple CEO Tim Cook, threatening to ban Apple devices from his companies if this "creepy spyware" isn't stopped.
Apple's announcement also included a new "compose" feature within Writing Tools, allowing users to ask ChatGPT to generate content, such as bedtime stories or images, directly within documents. This feature will be available for free, bypassing the need to create an OpenAI account, potentially increasing ChatGPT's usage significantly.
Despite Musk's objections, Apple maintains that users' requests and information are not logged by OpenAI, and IP addresses remain obscured. Additionally, ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts to access paid features directly within Apple’s ecosystem.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, reassured users, "You’re in control over when ChatGPT is used and will be asked before any of your information is shared. ChatGPT integration will be coming to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year." These features will be available on iPhone Pro 15 models and devices with M1 or newer chips.
OpenAI echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that requests are not stored and users' IP addresses are hidden. The integration is designed to ensure user privacy while making advanced AI tools more accessible and convenient.
As the debate over AI integration and privacy continues, Apple's move to integrate ChatGPT into its ecosystem marks a significant step in making advanced AI more user-friendly and widely available, albeit not without controversy.
