The honeymoon between AI giant OpenAI and Apple appears to be nearing its end before users have truly enjoyed it. Following the initial hype surrounding the integration of ChatGPT into Apple's systems, signs of tension have begun to surface, to the point that OpenAI is now considering legal action against Apple. This partnership, which was supposed to revolutionize the world of personal assistants, seems to be suffering from shattered ambitions and unfulfilled promises, creating an atmosphere in Silicon Valley rife with news of disagreements and what some describe behind closed doors as "failed" agreements.
Billions promised, but results disappointing
The dispute began when OpenAI realized that the figures it had envisioned were not materializing. According to recent reports, the company had expected that integrating ChatGPT into iPhones and Macs would generate billions of dollars in user subscriptions annually. This optimism wasn't unfounded; it was even suggested that Apple had promoted the deal as a golden opportunity, comparable in importance to its multi-billion dollar search deal with Google.
But reality proved quite different; revenues fell far short of those massive figures. Although iPhone users could subscribe to ChatGPT directly through their settings, with Apple taking its usual cut, the response wasn't as strong as OpenAI had hoped, leaving its executives feeling they had been misled by rosy projections far removed from the current business reality.
The culture of secrecy and the "leap into the unknown"
Apple is known for its high walls and excessive privacy, even with its closest partners, and this is precisely what bothered OpenAI. An OpenAI executive described the deal as a “leap into the unknown,” as Apple demanded blind trust without revealing the precise method by which ChatGPT would be integrated into its operating systems. This ambiguity made the company developing the popular AI model feel like a passenger, not a driver.
Sources confirm that OpenAI believes Apple hasn't done enough to promote this integration. The average user might not even know ChatGPT is on their device unless they actively search for or manually enable it. This lack of genuine publicity has led OpenAI to believe that Apple isn't taking the partnership seriously, or is perhaps only using it as a temporary measure while they develop their own technologies.
Siri and the Maze of Voice Commands
One of the most frustrating aspects for OpenAI is how Siri interacts with ChatGPT. To get an AI response, users often have to explicitly use the phrase “ChatGPT” in their request; otherwise, Siri will simply offer its standard, limited replies. This verbal barrier detracts from the user experience and makes the AI feel like an external add-on rather than an integral part of the system.
Furthermore, the responses displayed within the Siri interface are extremely limited compared to what the standalone ChatGPT app offers. This information restriction led OpenAI to feel that Apple was "dwarfing" its intelligent engine's capabilities, preventing users from seeing the true value of subscribing to the paid service, which ultimately brought negotiations to a standstill.
Will things end up in court?
With negotiations stalled, OpenAI has begun considering legal action. Options under consideration include sending a formal letter accusing Apple of breach of contract, which could pave the way for a full-blown lawsuit if a resolution isn't reached. However, the company still hopes to settle the dispute amicably, outside of court, especially since upcoming releases like iOS 27 may include new features called "Extensions" that could restore ChatGPT's prominence and allow it to present a more positive image.
The irony here is that Apple doesn't intend to limit itself to a single partner; iOS 27 is expected to include other chatbots such as Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Cloud. While this diversity wasn't part of OpenAI's complaint (because the contract wasn't exclusive), it increases the pressure on them to prove their superiority in an environment that will soon become very crowded within Apple devices.
Source:
6 comment