Elon Musk has threatened to ban Apple devices at his companies if Apple integrates OpenAI technology at the operating system level, citing security concerns. This follows Apple’s announcement of new AI features and a partnership with OpenAI, which Musk criticized for privacy issues.
11 June 2024 – Billionaire Elon Musk announced on Monday that he would prohibit Apple devices within his companies if the iPhone maker integrates OpenAI at the operating system level. Musk, CEO of Tesla (TSLA.O), SpaceX, and owner of social media company X, termed the integration as an “unacceptable security violation” in a post on X. He further stated, “Visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage.”
This declaration follows Apple’s announcement of new AI features across its apps and operating platforms, including a partnership with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT technology. Apple assured users that its AI developments prioritize privacy, using a mix of on-device processing and cloud computing. Musk criticized Apple’s decision, saying, “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!”
Ben Bajarin, CEO of consulting firm Creative Strategies, suggested it is unlikely that Musk’s stance would gain traction. He explained that Apple aims to educate users about the security of private cloud computing, ensuring that data is anonymized and protected as securely as on-device data. “Apple really never sees that data,” Bajarin noted.
Musk’s tensions with OpenAI, a company he co-founded in 2015, have been evident since he sued the organization and its CEO Sam Altman in March. Musk claimed that OpenAI strayed from its mission to develop AI for the benefit of humanity. In response, Musk launched his own AI startup, xAI, which was valued at $24 billion after raising $6 billion in a series B funding round.
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