In a bold move, Elon Musk has issued a stern warning to Apple regarding its approach to artificial intelligence. The Tesla CEO took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns over Apple's potential integration of OpenAI into its operating system, labeling the prospect an "unacceptable security violation."
It’s patently absurd that Apple isn’t smart enough to make their own AI, yet is somehow capable of ensuring that OpenAI will protect your security & privacy!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 10, 2024
Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river.
Musk's threat is clear - if Apple proceeds with this AI integration, he will prohibit the use of Apple devices at his companies. Visitors to Musk's businesses would be required to leave their Apple products "at the door," where they would be securely stored in Faraday cages to prevent any potential security breaches.
The announcement comes on the heels of Apple's recent unveiling of numerous AI features across its applications and operating systems, as well as a partnership with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT technology to its devices. Apple has assured users that these AI developments have been created with privacy as a top priority, employing a combination of on-device processing and cloud computing to power the new features.
However, Elon Musk remains skeptical of Apple's capabilities, stating bluntly, "It's preposterous that Apple isn't intelligent enough to create its own AI, yet they believe they can ensure ... OpenAI will safeguard your security and privacy!" This statement highlights Musk's belief that Apple lacks the necessary expertise to develop its own AI system and that relying on OpenAI poses significant risks to user security and privacy.
In addition to this AI controversy, Musk is also facing challenges on other fronts. The world's largest wealth fund, Norway's sovereign wealth fund, has announced plans to vote against Musk's $56 billion Tesla pay package, which has been a point of contention for some time.
Musk also revealed that his startup, xAI, has selected a southern city as the location for the "world's largest" supercomputer site, a move that underscores his commitment to advancing AI technology outside of the traditional tech giants.A community note under Musk's tweet provided additional context, clarifying that Apple had already developed its own AI system, named "Apple Intelligence," and that ChatGPT was merely an "additional feature" within Apple Intelligence. This feature would be limited to Siri and Writing Tools and would require user permission for every use.
Musk's concerns about Apple's AI integration are not entirely unfounded. In early March, he filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that they had deviated from the startup's original mission to develop AI for the betterment of humanity rather than for profit. This lawsuit prompted Musk to establish his own company, xAI, with the goal of challenging OpenAI and creating an alternative to the popular chatbot, ChatGPT.
The battle lines have been drawn, and it remains to be seen how Apple will respond to Musk's 'dare.' Will the tech giant back down and reconsider its AI integration plans, or will it stand firm in its commitment to bringing advanced AI capabilities to its users? The outcome of this clash could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI development and the relationship between these two tech titans.As the dust settles, one thing is clear - Elon Musk is not one to mince words or back down from a challenge. His bold stance against Apple's AI integration demonstrates his unwavering commitment to safeguarding user privacy and security, even if it means taking drastic measures such as banning Apple devices from his companies. The tech world waits with bated breath to see how this high-stakes game of AI chess will unfold.
