Apple builds a black box: how AI data should be processed securely
When Apple unveils new software in June, AI will play a major role. A new report reveals how data protection could work in the cloud.
(Image: Konstantin Yolshin/Shutterstock.com)
It is highly likely that Apple will emphasize data protection when using artificial intelligence in its software, and this follows a certain tradition about previous product presentations. A new media report now reveals alleged details of how exactly Apple intends to implement this technically.
Apple has announced the opening keynote for the WWDC developer conference for Monday, June 10, at 7 p.m. German time. Among other things, it will cover iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and new versions of macOS, watchOS and tvOS. Artificial intelligence will be a major topic. Apple has already announced on various occasions that a lot can be expected in the course of the year. The rumor mill is already in agreement that Apple will use a mixture of data processing on the device and in the cloud for the planned AI functions.
Playing it safe in its own data center
The online magazine "The Information" reports, citing four former Apple employees, that data from AI applications will be processed in a kind of virtual black box. Their construction makes it impossible for Apple employees and other actors to access the data. The fact that Apple is planning a project called ACDC ("Apple Chips in Data Centers") was already leaked in a Bloomberg report.
Apple's construct envisages that data is not only stored in encrypted form on the hard disks, but also does not have to be decrypted during processing by the server. This enables Apple to treat user data confidentially at all times. The Apple Silicon Secure Enclave plays a decisive role in programming. This is a subsystem that Apple has integrated into its system-on-chip (SoC) such as the M3. The Secure Enclave is isolated from the main processor and is intended to ensure that user data is secure on the devices even if attackers gain full access to the application processor. The Enclave is found in many iPhones, iPads, Macs and other Apple devices. It will play a role in AI in Apple's data centers.
Project launched three years ago
According to the Information report, Apple's approach should be significantly more secure than the security architectures of its competitors, even if there are still risks if someone gains physical access to Apple's servers. Apple's efforts are also intended to prevent the company from being approached by state actors. The extent to which Apple will be able to integrate servers with the M2 Ultra, which are necessary for this solution, into its data centers in the short term remains to be seen.
Apple has significantly intensified its commitment to AI in the past year - apparently also under the impression of its competitors' efforts. However, the security strategy has been in the works for some time. The beginnings date back three years and were originally aimed at being able to produce devices with less powerful processors that can process their data securely in the cloud.
(mki)
