Elon Musk is not happy about a new partnership between Apple and ChatGPT creator OpenAI.
In a post on X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced he would ban Apple devices at his companies, including SpaceX and X, if Apple proceeds with its AI integration plans. Musk claimed that integrating OpenAI at the operating system level poses a security risk and criticized Apple for handing over user data to OpenAI.
Musk stated visitors would have to leave their Apple devices in a Faraday cage, which blocks electromagnetic waves crucial for communications.
This announcement follows Apple’s unveiling of a partnership with OpenAI at its Worldwide Developers Conference, where they introduced “Apple Intelligence” to enhance Siri and other tools using generative AI. OpenAI’s ChatGPT will be integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS later this year.
Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who now runs rival firm xAI, has a contentious relationship with OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, and is suing them over alleged breaches of their founding agreement.
The broader tech industry, including Google, Samsung, and Microsoft, has already integrated AI into their devices. Musk’s employees may face limited options if he extends his ban to other brands.
Analysts suggest Musk’s threats may stem from his competing interests in AI, and highlight Apple’s privacy-conscious AI approach, which processes data on devices and seeks user consent before sharing information with OpenAI. Apple’s partnership with OpenAI aims to close the AI innovation gap with competitors like Google and Microsoft.
