OpenAI: Neither GPT-5 nor search engine – deal with Apple close to completion
OpenAI has announced a live event for ChatGPT and GPT-4 updates on Monday (May 13). At the same time, a deal with Apple is close to being finalized.
OpenAI plans to announce new product updates at a live event next Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. (CEST). There has already been speculation about the announcements this week, some of which have been denied by Sam Altman on X (Twitter). In addition, there are increasing reports that Apple is apparently close to a deal with OpenAI and that ChatGPT with GPT-4 will be included in the upcoming iOS 18.
No search engine and no GPT-5
Rumors have been growing this week that OpenAI is working on a function for ChatGPT that will allow users to search the web and cite sources in the results. Bloomberg, for example, referred to people familiar with the matter. OpenAI could therefore catch up with Google and the AI start-up Perplexity. ChatGPT's database is not yet up to date with current world events, as the data used for training purposes is correspondingly old. Only ChatGPT, which is integrated into Microsoft's Bing search engine, can process current information from the Internet.
The first reports about the development of a search product were published in February of this year. According to these reports, ChatGPT would be able to answer questions with content from the Internet and use quotes from Wikipedia entries or blog posts, for example. However, Sam Altman explained on X (Twitter) that there will be no announcement of a search engine at the Spring Update Live event. He also ruled out the presentation of GPT-5. OpenAI presented the current paid version GPT-4 over a year ago in March 2023.
OpenAI and Apple close to finalizing a deal
According to current reports, OpenAI's announcement focuses on an update of the chatbot ChatGPT and the underlying AI model GPT-4. However, according to media reports, OpenAI also appears to be close to concluding a deal with iPhone manufacturer Apple. Mark Gurman, who is considered well-informed, claims in a Bloomberg report that Apple has signed an agreement with OpenAI to bring the ChatGPT provider's technology to the iPhone, citing people familiar with the matter.
The two companies have therefore worked out the terms that will bring ChatGPT functions to Apple's next iPhone operating system version iOS 18. The company itself has already recognized that Apple needs to catch up in terms of generative AI, for example when Apple's software manager Craig Federighi spent weeks testing the new chatbot ChatGPT after its release, reports the New York Times.
Tim Cook sees an AI advantage at Apple
The realization that the new technology had overtaken Siri set in motion the most significant restructuring at Apple. Siri was introduced on every iPhone in 2011 - originally as a virtual assistant - and has been slow to develop since then. Apple is expected to present its work on artificial intelligence at this year's WWDC developer conference from June 10 to 14. It remains to be seen whether a cooperation with OpenAI will also be presented; there is no guarantee that an announcement will be made soon.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is convinced that Apple has a head start in the field of artificial intelligence. At least that's what he said on a conference call about Apple's business results last week. For its AI project, Apple is also planning to deliver "part of its upcoming AI functions" from its own data center with its own M2 Ultra chips.
Apple and Gemini - talks with Google
Apple is also holding talks with Google's parent company Alphabet regarding the licensing of the Gemini chatbot. Although these talks have not yet led to an agreement, they have not yet been concluded, Bloomberg reports.
(bme)