Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Apple Devices Over OpenAI Integration

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has voiced strong opposition to Apple’s potential collaboration with OpenAI. Musk announced that if Apple proceeds with integrating OpenAI’s technology, he will prohibit the use of iPhones and MacBooks within his companies. Musk’s concerns center around user privacy and the potential exploitation of data, asserting that such a partnership could jeopardize user security.

During Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the company unveiled its plans to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT with Siri. This integration would allow Siri to recommend that users consult ChatGPT for additional information, such as dinner recipe ideas. Apple assured users that private information and queries would not be logged or stored, claiming that the new Apple Intelligence service would keep personal data on users’ devices rather than uploading it to the cloud.

Despite these assurances, Musk remained unconvinced, expressing skepticism about Apple’s ability to safeguard user privacy. He stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, Apple devices would be banned from his companies due to the perceived security risk. Musk further criticized Apple’s reliance on OpenAI, suggesting that Apple should develop its own AI technology instead.

Musk’s response highlights a growing tension between tech giants over data privacy and security. He hinted at the development of a new phone, called the Grok phone, which would prioritize user privacy and security. This move could potentially disrupt the smartphone market, challenging major players like Apple and Samsung.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, emphasized that one of the key criteria for Apple Intelligence is privacy, stating that the company’s new M chips enable personal information to remain on the device. However, Musk dismissed these claims, arguing that Apple cannot guarantee the security of data once it is handed over to OpenAI. He accused Apple of compromising user privacy and selling out to OpenAI.

Musk’s comments have sparked significant debate, with some supporters urging him to develop a phone under the Tesla or X branding. Right-wing film director Robby Starbuck expressed his preference for a Musk-developed phone over one that integrates OpenAI’s technology.

Musk’s history with OpenAI adds another layer to this controversy. He co-founded OpenAI with Sam Altman in 2015, initially envisioning it as a non-profit organization aimed at mitigating the risks posed by artificial intelligence. However, Musk left the company in 2018 after a failed buyout attempt by Tesla. In March, Musk sued OpenAI and Altman, alleging that the company had strayed from its original mission to benefit humanity and had become profit-driven.

Altman responded to the lawsuit, suggesting that Musk’s concerns were not genuinely about OpenAI’s non-profit status but rather personal disagreements. OpenAI’s founders published emails from Musk supporting the company’s pivot to a mixed non-profit and for-profit model, contradicting Musk’s public stance. Musk later joked that he would drop the lawsuit if OpenAI changed its name to ClosedAI, further highlighting the tension between the two parties.

In summary, Musk’s threat to ban Apple devices over OpenAI integration underscores the broader debate on data privacy and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. As the tech industry evolves, these issues are becoming increasingly significant for consumers and companies alike, potentially shaping the future landscape of technology and innovation.