U-turn: Apple apparently not on the board of OpenAI after all

Apple is not to be given an observer position on the supervisory board of ChatGPT developer OpenAI after all. The decision is said to be related to Microsoft's withdrawal from the supervisory board, reports the Financial Times. Both Apple and Microsoft feared problems from regulatory authorities. They are increasingly paying attention to the extent to which big tech companies are involved in AI start-ups. At worst, there is a threat of antitrust measures.

It was only at the beginning of the month that there were reports that Phil Schiller, the long-standing head of marketing and current Apple Fellow, was to be appointed to the supervisory board for Apple. The 64-year-old was last seen presenting Apple's measures relating to the Digital Markets Act in Europe. Schiller also played a role in the dispute with Epic. In view of Apple's new collaboration with OpenAI - in iOS 18 there is to be a further option in Siri that leads to GPT-4o from OpenAI - Apple should have a short line to the AI company via the Supervisory Board.

What OpenAI is planning instead

Instead, OpenAI is planning a new approach to engaging key strategic partners. Under the leadership of recently hired CFO Sarah Friar, regular meetings are to be held with partners such as Microsoft and Apple as well as investors such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures.

Microsoft's withdrawal and Apple's abandonment come against the backdrop of growing antitrust scrutiny in the EU and the US. In a letter to OpenAI, Microsoft emphasized that it remains one of the "most valuable partners", but that it no longer considers its observer role on the supervisory board to be necessary.

The tech giants' decisions could have far-reaching consequences for the AI sector. While Microsoft , with its 13 billion dollar investment in OpenAI, remains closely linked to the company, Apple's reticence may signal a more cautious approach to AI partnerships.

(mki)