ChatGPT features rumored for iOS 18 will reportedly be opt-in

The rumored ChatGPT integration with iOS 18 will reportedly be opt-in for iPhone users.

Ahead of WWDC 2024 on June 10, Apple is expected to announce a partnership with OpenAI which would supplement AI features powered by Apple's LLM, Ajax. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, AI features will be something users elect to use, "so wary customers could easily steer clear of them if they’d prefer."

Rumored Apple and OpenAI deal comes with privacy provisions

Apple has long touted itself as a privacy-focused company. But bringing generative AI features to iOS 18 poses a privacy issue, since AI models often require massive computing power that can only be supported by cloud servers. Furthermore, OpenAI has been steeped in controversy over ChatGPT's privacy and safety concerns, not to mention its tendency to hallucinate and produce inaccurate responses. Some AI features on iOS 18 will be powered on-device, but others will require cloud computing, according to Gurman.

The decision to make AI features opt-in is a strategic one that shields Apple from OpenAI controversies, while hopefully keeping privacy-minded iPhone users satisfied. Additionally, per Gurman, the OpenAI partnership is likely a "stopgap measure" until Apple can catch up to OpenAI and Google by further developing its own AI models.

It remains unclear which iOS 18 AI features will be opt-in — and which will be processed one-device or in the cloud. But we can expect the software update to be packed with all kinds of AI features. Apple is reportedly injecting AI features into Messages, Notes, Safari, and giving Siri a major upgrade. Whatever happens, WWDC is now merely days away, so we won't have to wait long.