Elon Musk Warns He Will Ban Apple Devices in His Companies if ChatGPT Is Integrated Into iOS

• Apple is reportedly working with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into the iPhone's operating system.
• Elon Musk announced that Apple devices will be banned from Tesla and SpaceX if they incorporate OpenAI's technology.

Apple is fully committing to its artificial intelligence (AI) goals and is reportedly seeking assistance from the company that sparked the generative AI craze. According to a recent report, the tech giant is collaborating with OpenAI to incorporate its chatbot, ChatGPT, into the iPhone's operating system.

However, while this seems like a great collaboration, it is not without controversy. Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk announced on X (formerly Twitter) that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, Apple devices will be banned in his companies. Musk considers this an unacceptable security risk.

“And visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage,” wrote Musk.

Musk has always been vocal about concerns about AI and data security. Even for this whole matter, he didn’t hold back from addressing it directly with Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. 

On Monday, Apple revealed its much-anticipated venture into artificial intelligence, including an upgrade to its voice assistant Siri. This update enables Siri to utilize OpenAI's popular ChatGPT chatbot. Apple stated that users will be asked for consent to share their questions with ChatGPT, ensuring that their requests and information will not be recorded. 

And when Cook recently posted on X about “Apple Intelligence”, Musk replied saying, “Don’t want it.”

“Either stop this creepy spyware or all Apple devices will be banned from the premises of my companies,” Musk commented. 

Additionally, Musk criticized Apple, stating that it's absurd to think that they can't create their own AI but can trust OpenAI to protect users' security and privacy. He argued that Apple is unaware of what happens to user data once it's given to OpenAI, accusing them of betraying their customers.

Moreover, Musk fueled the controversy by posting an Indian meme, humorously titled “How intelligence works,” on X, taking a direct jab at Apple and OpenAI.

In March of this year, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the AI company he co-founded in 2015, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and unfair business practices. He claims that OpenAI has violated its founding agreement and should return to being an open-source platform.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah