Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced plans to ban the use of Apple Inc. devices within his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, if the tech giant integrates OpenAI’s artificial intelligence software at the operating system level.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI but later parted ways with the organization, cited significant security risks as the primary reason for this potential ban.
The controversy erupted following Apple’s presentation on Monday, where the company revealed that its customers would soon be able to access OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot through the Siri digital assistant.
Apple intends to roll out this integration as part of a broader suite of new AI features later this year.
Musk, known for his outspoken views on the rapid development of AI technology, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns.
“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies,” Musk tweeted. “That is an unacceptable security violation.”
Musk’s stance is rooted in his belief that the integration of OpenAI’s software into Apple’s operating systems could pose a significant threat to user privacy and data security.
“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.
Tesla and SpaceX employees, along with visitors to these companies, would be required to comply with the new policy, ensuring that no Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, are brought onto company premises.
Apple, meanwhile, has attempted to assuage these concerns by emphasizing its commitment to user privacy.
During the presentation, Apple stated that “privacy protections are built in when accessing ChatGPT within Siri,” and assured that “requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured.”
Despite these assurances, Musk remains skeptical. He criticized Apple’s ability to safeguard user data, suggesting that the company is unaware of the potential dangers once data is handed over to OpenAI.
“Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI,” Musk commented.
Musk’s declaration adds another chapter to his ongoing concerns about the development and implementation of generative AI technologies.
He has previously voiced apprehensions about the rapid pace at which AI is advancing and its implications for society.
Concurrently, Musk is working on his own AI startup, xAI, which features a chatbot named Grok, aimed at competing with ChatGPT.