Apple may reveal its plans on its use of generative artificial intelligence in the coming months, the company Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has said.
During Apple's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, Cook contended that Apple is currently using AI covertly within Apple's products.
"Every Mac that is powered by Apple silicon is an extraordinarily capable AI machine. In fact, there's no better computer for AI on the market today," Cook said, according to Reuters.
He continued that the company sees "incredible breakthrough potential for generative AI, which is why we're currently investing significantly in this area. We believe that will unlock transformative opportunities for users when it comes to productivity, problem solving and more."
Cook added, "Later this year, I look forward to sharing with you the ways we will break new ground in generative AI, another technology we believe can redefine the future."
Apple shareholders on Wednesday also voted against a proposal that sought greater transparency on the company's use of artificial intelligence in business operations and outline ethical guidelines governing its use of the technology .
The proposal was moved by the pension trust of the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labour unions in the United States.
The labour body has advocated for similar AI measures at various other technology firms.
Though unsuccessful, the proposal garnered support from 37.5 per cent of the votes cast.
Apple has been comparatively slower in implementing generative AI, capable of producing human-like responses to written prompts, than its competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, both of which have been integrating such technologies into their products at a faster pace.
Cook revealed Apple's use of AI in the hand-tracking tool in Vision Pro and heart rate alerts on the Apple Watch.
He also highlighted the capability of Apple's chips lodged inside MacBooks to perform AI operations.
Brandon Rees, deputy director for corporations and capital markets with the AFL-CIO, said, "Compared to other leading technology companies, Apple has been behind the curve on disclosing ethical guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence."
"We hope that Apple will enhance its disclosure practices on this important issue to investors and other stakeholders," he said.
The AFL-CIO argues that AI systems should not be trained on copyrighted works, or the voices, likenesses and performances of professional performers, "without transparency, consent and compensation to creators and rights holders."
Apple objected to the proposal, arguing that divulging such information could potentially reveal its strategic direction, particularly as it vies against competitors in the swiftly evolving AI sector.
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