Apple has banned its employees, including developers, from using ChatGPT for work purposes. The Wall Street Journal has verified a document from Apple detailing the embargo, according to reporting on the news outlet’s site, as well as hearing from those ‘familiar with the matter’. The ban comes on the same day that OpenAI announced the launch of ChatGPT for iOS.
Apple has stated its chief concern is that employees will unwittingly share confidential data with the AI service. The main concern is the other function of ChatGPT: any data input into the platform can be sent back to Open AI developers, which helps improve the function and performance. Apple is reportedly developing its own AI platform/LLM, which may be another reason why Tim Cook & co have limited employees’ use of this new technology.
Apple’s lack of AI products and development may be a bit of a sore spot for the Cupertino, California-based company. The firm was first on the consumer AI product offering with voice-activated Siri, but has since not produced anything of note in the AI arena.
ChatGPT is a generative AI tool that can hone what it produces. The more data that’s input, the better it “learns”. OpenAI promises other countries soon. The company also said in its release that the Android app is in development.
Company sensitivity around using AI tools will continue to be a concern, and Apple is not alone in its concerns. However, if you’re an iOS user, based in the US, and aren’t as worried about your information as Apple, you can start using ChatGPT on your Apple device right now.
