Apple to Reveal AI Plans Later This Year, CEO Tim Cook Announces

Apple plans to disclose more about its generative AI plans later this year, according to CEO Tim Cook. The company sees significant potential for AI in productivity and problem-solving. Apple's Mac computers powered by Apple silicon are touted as exceptional AI machines.

Credit: REUTERS

During Apple's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company will provide more details about its plans to utilise generative artificial intelligence (AI) later this year. Cook emphasised Apple's belief in the "incredible breakthrough potential for generative AI" and the significant investments being made in this area.

The company sees AI as a catalyst for transformative opportunities in productivity and problem-solving for users.

While Apple has been slower in implementing generative AI compared to competitors like Microsoft and Google, Cook assured shareholders that AI is already at work behind the scenes in Apple's products. However, he promised that there will be further news on explicit AI features in the coming months. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple intends to leverage AI to enhance data search capabilities on its devices.

Cook highlighted the capabilities of Apple's Mac computers powered by Apple silicon, stating, "Every Mac that is powered by Apple silicon is an extraordinarily capable AI machine. In fact, there's no better computer for AI on the market today."

During the shareholder meeting, a proposal requesting Apple to disclose more information about its use of AI and ethical guidelines for the technology was rejected by shareholders. The proposal, put forth by the AFL-CIO pension trust, the largest American labor union federation, aimed to shed light on Apple's AI practices. The AFL-CIO has also proposed similar measures at other technology companies and plans to present a similar proposal at Walt Disney's annual meeting in April.

The AFL-CIO's proposal specifically asked for a report on Apple's use of AI in its business operations and the disclosure of any ethical guidelines related to AI technology. The union federation expressed concerns about AI systems being trained on copyrighted works or the voices, likenesses, and performances of professional performers without transparency, consent, and compensation to creators and rights holders.

Apple opposed the proposal, citing the need to protect its strategic advantage in the competitive AI landscape. Disclosures could potentially reveal Apple's AI strategy to its rivals, hindering its ability to stay ahead in the fast-moving AI field.

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• Apple plans to disclose more about its generative AI plans later this year, according to CEO Tim Cook.

• The company sees significant potential for AI in productivity and problem-solving.

• Apple's Mac computers powered by Apple silicon are touted as exceptional AI machines.

Source: REUTERS