Apple Secures Observer Role on OpenAI Board in Landmark AI Partnership

  • Apple to gain observer role on OpenAI board per recent AI agreement.
  • Phil Schiller, Apple’s App Store chief, selected for the role.
  • Schiller will attend meetings but without voting rights.
  • No comments provided by Apple or OpenAI.
  • Apple integrates OpenAI’s ChatGPT and “Apple Intelligence” tech into its apps.
  • OpenAI appoints new directors including Sam Altman and Sue Desmond-Hellmann.

Main AI News:

Apple is set to secure an observer role on OpenAI’s board as part of a groundbreaking AI agreement unveiled last month, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

Phil Schiller, Apple’s App Store chief and former marketing head, has been selected for this pivotal role, according to the report.

Scheduled to commence later this year, the board arrangement will see Schiller participating in meetings, though without voting privileges or the typical authorities held by directors, Bloomberg detailed. However, observers gain invaluable insights into the company’s decision-making processes.

Both Apple and OpenAI declined to provide comments when approached by Reuters for confirmation.

This development follows Apple’s recent announcement in June, introducing OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot to its ecosystem and embedding its innovative “Apple Intelligence” technology across its suite of applications, including the widely-used virtual assistant Siri.

In March, OpenAI disclosed plans to appoint new directors, including Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nicole Seligman, former president of Sony Entertainment, and Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart.

Conclusion:

This partnership signifies Apple’s deeper integration of advanced AI technologies, leveraging OpenAI’s expertise to enhance its own applications like Siri. By securing an observer role on OpenAI’s board, Apple gains strategic insights into AI developments, potentially influencing future product innovations and market strategies. This move underscores Apple’s commitment to remaining competitive in the AI space and adapting its ecosystem to incorporate cutting-edge technologies.

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