In a major move, Apple has announced a partnership with OpenAI to integrate the popular ChatGPT chatbot into its Siri virtual assistant. The integration will be part of the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia releases later this year.

According to the announcement made at Apple’s WWDC 2024 keynote, ChatGPT will be available for free to all Apple users without the need for an OpenAI account. Importantly, Apple has stated that user queries will not be logged, ensuring user privacy.

The ChatGPT integration will also extend to Apple’s systemwide writing tools, allowing users to leverage the chatbot’s capabilities directly within various apps and services. Additionally, paid ChatGPT subscribers will be able to link their accounts to access premium features from OpenAI within Apple’s operating systems.

The partnership emerged as Apple sought to bolster its AI capabilities to rival those of other tech giants. After discussions with both Google and OpenAI, the company ultimately decided to collaborate with OpenAI, securing the deal to bring ChatGPT to Siri.

“We’re excited to partner with Apple to bring ChatGPT to their users in a new way,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. “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.”

Interestingly, the announcement also revealed that the latest GPT-4o model from OpenAI, which has been criticized for its uncannily human-like voice assistant, will be the model powering ChatGPT in Apple devices.

Alongside the OpenAI partnership, Apple also unveiled a range of its own new AI features under the “Apple Intelligence” umbrella, further solidifying the company’s push into the AI space.

This integration of ChatGPT into Siri represents a significant step forward for Apple’s AI capabilities and is sure to be welcomed by users who have long sought more advanced virtual assistant functionality. As the tech industry continues to evolve, this partnership between Apple and OpenAI promises to deliver innovative AI-powered experiences to Apple’s vast user base.

Source: The Verge