According to a WSJ report, Apple is in talks with Facebook's parent company Meta to integrate Meta's generative AI models into Apple Intelligence. The new AI system was recently announced for iPhones and other Apple devices at WWDC 2024. If the report is true, Meta could become the second company to partner with Apple on AI applications and features, after OpenAI.
Meta will be able to leverage Apple's vast distribution network, similar to how apps are distributed through the App Store. While Apple is a latecomer to generative AI, it has developed its own AI models and is now looking for partners for more complex tasks.
In addition to Meta and OpenAI, Apple is reportedly in talks with Google's Gemini and AI startups Anthropic and Perplexity, which, if successful, would allow Apple customers to choose from a range of external AI models in addition to Apple's own in-house systems.
These discussions reveal unexpected alliances in the AI era. Historically rivals, Apple and Meta may cooperate despite past conflicts. For example, Apple's 2021 privacy changes reportedly cost Meta $10 billion in losses in 2022. Additionally, Meta offers a workaround to avoid Apple's 30% service fee for certain ads.
Apple is not seeking payment from the AI companies in these discussions. Instead, these companies may sell premium subscriptions through Apple Intelligence, with Apple receiving a commission, similar to the App Store model. These deals could help AI companies distribute their products, but the financial benefits are unclear.
OpenAI will offer a free version of ChatGPT through Apple Intelligence with the option for users to link to a premium account. The partnership is expected to double ChatGPT usage, but will increase OpenAI's infrastructure costs by 30-40%.
Meta's AI model, Llama, which was launched in July 2023, has gained support within the tech industry, and the deal with Apple would be a major win for Meta's AI division.
At WWDC 2024, Apple's software lead Craig Federighi emphasized that the company will offer multiple AI options to meet different user needs, including creative writing and medical research.
