Elon Musk has announced that he will ban Apple devices at his companies, citing what he perceives as a severe security risk. This move follows Apple’s announcement earlier on Monday about integrating OpenAI’s technology into its iPhones. The new feature will allow Siri to hand off some queries to ChatGPT, OpenAI’s large language model.
Musk responded sharply, labeling the update an “unacceptable security violation.”
“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation,” he proclaimed on X, formerly known as Twitter, the platform he owns.
He added, “And visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage.” A Faraday cage is an enclosure used to block electromagnetic fields, preventing wireless signals from coming in or going out.
Musk’s drastic measure is expected to impact SpaceX, Tesla, and X, his social media platform.
Apple had indicated that the new feature would be rolled out later this year, with OpenAI confirming its technology would be deeply integrated into the operating system. Both companies emphasized the privacy protections included in the update. OpenAI assured users that “Requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured.”
The integration will enable Siri to delegate questions, documents, and photos to ChatGPT for assistance. Additionally, a new Apple system called “Writing Tools” will allow users to generate content or re-write documents in various styles and conciseness. Apple will also incorporate OpenAI’s image generation technologies for creating illustrations to accompany documents.
These enhancements are part of a broader suite called “Apple Intelligence,” which primarily uses Apple’s technologies but includes OpenAI’s contributions.
OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, was present at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference where these new features were announced, though he did not participate in the presentation.
Musk’s relationship with OpenAI is fraught with tension. Although he was one of its co-founders in 2015, he has grown increasingly critical, accusing the company of deviating from its founding principles. He has even sued OpenAI and Mr. Altman, alleging that they prioritized profits over their original mission, claims which OpenAI has consistently denied.
Musk’s relationship with Apple has also been rocky. In 2022, he criticized Apple and its CEO Tim Cook over the fees Apple takes from iPhone payments, though the two later met at Apple’s headquarters.
