Apple Quietly Working on a Powerful In-House AI System to Rival ChatGPT, Aiming to Transform the iPhone Experience and Reduce Dependence on Third-Party Tools, Report Reveals. Apple has quietly begun developing a powerful new artificial intelligence (AI) system that could rival services like ChatGPT, according to a report by well-known tech journalist Mark Gurman. The report reveals that Apple has internally formed a new team called “Answer, Knowledge and Information” (AKI) to lead this effort. The team is reportedly headed by former Siri executive Robby Walker and reports directly to Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea. Moving Beyond ChatGPT IntegrationWhile Apple recently integrated ChatGPT into Siri, the company now appears focused on building its own chatbot technology. This shift signals Apple’s intention to reduce reliance on third-party AI tools and develop in-house capabilities in the competitive AI landscape. So far, Apple’s new Apple Intelligence platform has only offered limited features like Genmoji, notification summaries, and writing suggestions, many of which users have found underwhelming. In particular, a long-awaited upgrade to Siri has been significantly delayed. New Search System in the WorksThe AKI team’s main goal is to develop an entirely new search system for Apple devices that could offer AI-driven experiences similar to ChatGPT or Perplexity AI. Although Apple initially considered partnering with existing AI startups, the company has now decided to pursue the project independently. iPhone 17 Pro Testing & Internal ChallengesMeanwhile, Apple is also conducting field testing for the next iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro, which was reportedly spotted in San Francisco hidden inside a special case. Despite this progress, Apple is facing internal challenges. Over the past month, four researchers from its Foundation Models team have left the company to join Meta. This suggests growing difficulties in retaining top AI talent. If Apple’s AKI project succeeds, it could not only resolve current shortcomings but revolutionize how search functions on the iPhone, offering a more advanced and intelligent user experience.
Apple Builds ChatGPT Rival, Eyes Search Overhaul with iPhone 17
