In a surprising revelation, Apple reportedly acknowledges that its artificial intelligence (AI) technology lags significantly behind industry leaders. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, some Apple employees believe the company's in-house generative AI capabilities are more than two years behind competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Meta.
Internal Studies Reveal Gap
Apple's own internal studies have apparently shown that the upcoming AI features lack the "wow factor" of rival technologies. For instance, OpenAI's ChatGPT is said to be 25% more accurate than the new Siri and can answer 30% more questions. This admission comes as Apple prepares to launch its "Apple Intelligence" features across its device ecosystem.
Strategic Partnerships and Integration
Recognizing this technological gap, Apple has taken steps to bridge it through partnerships. The company has already announced plans to integrate ChatGPT into its operating systems, giving users access to more advanced AI capabilities.
Apple's Unique Position
Despite the setback, industry experts point out that Apple has a distinct advantage: its tightly integrated ecosystem of devices. This allows the company to rapidly deploy new technologies across its product line once they are ready. Apple's track record of successfully entering new markets also suggests it shouldn't be underestimated in the AI race.
Rollout Plans
Apple Intelligence is expected to debut on the latest iPhone 16 series, Macs, and most iPads in the coming week. The company plans to expand AI capabilities to nearly all its devices with screens by early 2026, including the Vision Pro and potentially even the Apple Watch for AI-generated notification summaries.
Looking Ahead
While the current gap in AI technology is notable, Apple's resources and ecosystem advantage could help it catch up quickly. The company is likely to invest heavily in AI development, potentially through a combination of internal research, strategic hires, and acquisitions.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, it remains to be seen how quickly Apple can close the gap and whether its integration-focused approach will give it an edge in the long run. Apple Intelligence features are expected to remain free for users until at least 2027, giving the company time to refine its offerings.