Apple Intelligence Delay May Allow Google, Samsung to Maintain AI Stronghold Despite Privacy Focus
The delayed update will equip Apple devices with new AI capabilities. Source: Apple.
Key Takeaways
- Apple has reportedly pushed back the release of an AI upgrade for its operating systems.
- Initially expected to ship with iOS 18 in September, Apple Intelligence will now land several weeks later.
- Facing stiff competition from rivals, the Big Tech firm is under pressure to release new AI features.
When Apple Intelligence was announced in June, the AI software overhaul was initially slated for release as part of September’s operating system (OS) upgrades, marking the Big Tech firm’s most significant AI play to date.
But in a technology race that pits Apple against some of the biggest players in the game, the recent decision to push back the release until later than expected could give rivals, including Google, Meta, and Samsung, a competitive edge.
What’s more, lingering privacy concerns over the role of OpenAI’s models in the expected software update continue to undermine Apple’s AI messaging.
Apple Drops the Baton in Big Tech AI Race
Originally expected to be released as part of OS upgrades in September, reports on Sunday suggest Apple AI won’t arrive until a few weeks after the initial iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 releases. The rumored delay is a notable setback for the Big Tech firm in a competitive AI development race.
As the world’s foremost smartphone makers, Apple and Samsung have both doubled down on AI-focused updates this year. But in the race to ship new features, Samsung initially took the lead, rolling out Galaxy AI for millions of users in March.
Meanwhile, at the OS level, Google has moved in tandem with Samsung, using Galaxy AI as a testing ground for features like Circle to Search before integrating them into Android more generally.
For its part, Meta’s smartphone AI pitch is centered on its LLaMA models, which it plans to release on both Android and iOS applications. However, facing scrutiny from European data protection regulators, the company has been forced to put its plans on ice.
Concerns over AI data processing are an issue for Apple too. Despite the firm’s best efforts to position Apple AI as private and secure, the iPhone maker has been criticized for partnering with OpenAI.
OpenAI Data Concerns
Alongside its homegrown AI, Apple has also tapped OpenAI for new OS features, including a ChatGPT integration that will let iPhone users connect to the chatbot directly via Siri.
To leverage OpenAI’s models, Apple Intelligence plugs into its APIs, creating a cloud data link that raises important privacy questions.
Apple claims its “groundbreaking cloud intelligence system” Private Cloud Compute (PCC) will ensure personal data isn’t accessible to anyone other than the user. But that hasn’t been enough to silence critics.
Slamming the OS-level integration of OpenAI’s models, Elon Musk has even threatened to ban Apple devices at his companies.
Building on his long-running feud with OpenAI, the Tesla boss alleged: “It’s patently absurd that Apple isn’t smart enough to make their own AI, yet is somehow capable of ensuring that OpenAI will protect your security & privacy!”
“Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river,” he added.
Smartphone AI Privacy Comparison
Apple’s approach to AI privacy built around PCC can be contrasted with the alternative model developed by Google and Samsung.
Whereas PCC rests on end-to-end encryption for data security, team Android is banking on expanding user choice to ensure privacy. Although both systems use a mix of on-device and cloud AI, Android offers more customizability. For example, Samsung has introduced Advanced Intelligence settings, a new privacy option that disables all cloud-based AI capabilities.
No amount of encryption can ever mitigate cloud risks for the most security-conscious smartphone users. Apple Intelligence may strip identifying information from ChatGPT API calls, but in theory, the content of queries remains accessible to OpenAI.
Nevertheless, for the average user who is less concerned about data leakage, PCC offers a level of protection that Samsung and Google can’t currently match.
