An extensive interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook reveals that he (somehow) denies the rumors about OpenAI , addresses the potential conflict between the energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and Apple's environmental goals, progress toward Apple Glasses, and how Apple's greatest legacy may be saving lives.
Cook begins by denying that Apple has been slow to embrace artificial intelligence, pointing out that the company has been integrating a neural engine into its products since 2017.
Read more: Apple CEO: "We are investing significantly in artificial intelligence"
What Tim Cook said when he spoke to Wired's Steven Levy:
“In 2017 we integrated a neural engine into our products. It was already apparent that artificial intelligence and machine learning were huge. It was obvious that we needed to steer a lot of people towards this, because it was a new era for our products.”
There have been rumors that Apple might charge for some Apple Intelligence features in the future, but Cook essentially rules that out.
"We never talked about charging for these features. We see it like the multitouch feature, which enabled the smartphone and modern tablet revolution."
Vague denial of rumors about OpenAI
There were reports over the summer that Phil Schiller would join the board of ChatGPTin an observer role – but that he ultimately wouldn’t. There was also talk of Apple investing in OpenAI.
Cook denies this, although, because the two points of the question were posed together, it is not entirely clear which one he is denying specifically.
See also: Apple: Investing more in AI, but lagging behind its competitors
Question: “First Apple would have an observer on the OpenAI board. Now it doesn’t. There was a rumor recently that you were going to participate in their big investment round. You didn’t.”
Answer: “There’s no truth to that. And I would just say that our MO is not to invest in a lot of companies. It’s rare that we’ve done that. So it would be strange, an exception, for us to do it here.”
Question: “So you never considered investing in OpenAI?”
Answer: "I won't say we never considered it. I'm just saying it would be a rare move on our part to do so."
Energy consumption of artificial intelligence (AI)
Levy asked Cook if there was a conflict between the extremely high energy demands of AI servers and Apple's environmental goals.
“More challenges, yes. But are we moving away from the goal? No, definitely not. With more data centers, you use more renewable energy, and we have developed that capability now. Since 2015, our carbon footprint has been reduced by more than half, while our net sales have increased by more than 50%. I feel very good about 2030 [when Apple has stated that its entire supply chain will be carbon neutral].”
Read more: Flexbar brings back Apple's Touch Bar
About Apple Glasses
Levy referenced Meta and Snap's glasses, asking if that kind of design is the ultimate goal for the Vision Pro. Cook seemed to confirm that Apple Glasses are a long-term goal.
“Yes, it’s an evolution over time in terms of what’s happening with form factors. Augmented reality (AR) is a huge thing. With Vision Pro, we’ve moved into what is clearly the most advanced technology we’ve ever done, and I think the most advanced technology in the world in terms of electronic problems. We’ll see where it takes us.”
Apple's greatest legacy will be saving lives
Cook said the company's greatest legacy will lie in healthcare, noting the lives that have been saved through the company's work in that area.
"It's clear to me that if you look far into the future and go back and ask what Apple's greatest contribution was, it's going to be in healthcare. I absolutely believe that. When we started pulling that thread with the Apple Watch, it was a series of events.
See related: Apple: Enables Apple Watch sleep apnea detection in Canada
"We started with something simple like heart rate monitoring, and then we realized we could detect heart signals to get to an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Now we're tracking sleep apnea. I've received so many notes over time from people who wouldn't have survived if it weren't for the notification on their wrist."
Source: 9to5mac
