Elon Musk Threatens Apple Device Ban from His Companies Over OpenAI Partnership

Billionaire Elon Musk warned that he would ban Apple devices from his companies if Apple integrated OpenAI’s artificial intelligence software at the operating system level.

“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies,” Elon Musk wrote on X, the social network he owns. “That is an unacceptable security violation.”

Apple announced on Monday that customers would soon be able to use OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot through the Siri digital assistant. This feature is part of a new suite of AI capabilities to be launched later this year.

Why Elon Musk is Against OpenAI in Apple Devices

Elon Musk, who co-founded OpenAI but has since parted ways with the startup, has raised concerns about the rapid development of generative AI technology. 

Despite his reservations, he is working on his own AI competitor to ChatGPT through his startup, xAI, which features a chatbot named Grok.

“Visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage,” he added, referring to a device that blocks electromagnetic fields.

Elon Musk criticized Apple, claiming that the company cannot develop its own AI and is unaware of the potential risks once data is handed over to OpenAI.

Musk, who leads Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, added that visitors to his companies would have to leave their Apple devices at the door, stored in a Faraday cage to block electromagnetic fields.

Elon Musk’s opposition to OpenAI comes from his troubled history with the company. OpenAI, founded in 2015 to create AI for the good of humanity, has shifted away from its original non-profit mission, which Musk disapproves of.

In March, Musk sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, claiming they abandoned their original goals for profit.

At the same time, Musk started his own AI company, xAI, to compete with OpenAI. Valued at $24 billion after a $6 billion Series B funding round, xAI aims to create AI solutions that align with Musk’s vision of responsible and ethical AI development, competing directly with ChatGPT.

Apple’s Response and Privacy Measures

Apple did not immediately respond to Musk’s comments. During their presentation, Apple assured users that the integration of ChatGPT would not compromise privacy. 

The company stated that user data would not be tracked and that precautions were in place to protect privacy.

“Privacy protections are built in when accessing ChatGPT within Siri,” Apple announced. “Requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured.”