OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, directly addressed Elon Musk’s criticisms of OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration with Apple’s iOS during Fortune’s MPW dinner on Tuesday. Musk, via his social media platform X, had labeled ChatGPT as “creepy spyware” following Apple’s announcement of the partnership at WWDC 2024. Murati countered, stating, “That’s his opinion. Obviously I don’t think so. We care deeply about the privacy of our users and the safety of our products.”
OpenAI
The core of the disagreement originates from Apple’s newly formed partnership with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT. This collaboration integrates ChatGPT into Siri, enabling it to handle complex user queries beyond the current capabilities of Apple’s AI. This integration functions as an API call, similar to using the standalone ChatGPT app, as pointed out by software developer Dylan McDonald.
Apple emphasized during their announcement that user data will not be shared with OpenAI, nor will OpenAI utilize Apple user data for training its models. This approach distinguishes ChatGPT from Apple Intelligence, also unveiled at WWDC 2024. Apple Intelligence operates on its own models within a secure, private compute cloud, separate from OpenAI’s public cloud infrastructure.
Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who later departed to establish xAI, a competing AI company, reacted strongly to the partnership. He went so far as to threaten to prohibit employees across his companies from using Apple products, including iPhones and Macs. Musk expressed concerns over Apple’s understanding of data handling once it’s passed to OpenAI, accusing Apple of “selling you down the river.”
Murati emphasized OpenAI’s commitment to transparency, stating, “We’re trying to be as transparent as possible with the public. The biggest risk is that stakeholders misunderstand the technology.” She believes that clear communication and public understanding are crucial to addressing concerns surrounding AI technology.
In conclusion, the debate highlights the ongoing tension and scrutiny surrounding data privacy and AI integration. While Musk voices strong concerns about potential privacy risks, OpenAI maintains its commitment to user privacy and responsible AI development. The differing perspectives underscore the importance of transparency and continued dialogue as AI technology continues to evolve and integrate into everyday life.
