In a move to stay at the forefront of technological innovation, Apple's CEO Tim Cook announced a significant expansion in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
The tech giant has launched a sweeping global hiring spree, posting dozens of AI job openings in the US, France, and China, News18 reports.
This strategic move comes as Apple aims to build cutting-edge generative AI tools that leverage local processing on mobile devices, a potential game-changer in the tech industry.
Apple's Vision for Generative AI Unveiled
Apple's push into generative AI signifies the company's dedication to harnessing the power of AI and machine learning (ML) as fundamental core technologies.
"We are seeking a candidate with a proven track record in applied ML research," stated one of the job postings first reported by The Financial Times. The responsibilities listed include:
- Training large-scale language and multimodal models on distributed backends.
- Deploying efficient neural architectures like transformers on devices.
- Developing personalized learning policies in a privacy-preserving manner.
Apple has been quietly developing research for years across a wide range of AI technologies, including generative AI, as Cook confirmed during an earnings call.
The CEO emphasized that AI and ML are embedded in virtually every product the company builds. While Apple may not have showcased generative AI during its recent events, the ambitious hiring spree suggests the company is poised to make significant strides in the field.
Record-Breaking Research and Development Investment
In addition to the hiring spree, Reuters reports Apple's financial commitment to AI research is evident in its staggering research and development (R&D) spending, which reached a jaw-dropping $22.61 billion for the current fiscal year.
This figure is $3.12 billion higher than the previous year, as revealed in the third-quarter earnings report. Cook acknowledged that a substantial portion of this budget was directed toward AI advancements.
Despite spending vast amounts on AI R&D, Apple has taken a different approach from some of its competitors.
While tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Google have engaged in an AI arms race, rapidly launching new AI products, Apple has been more discreet about its AI progress. However, Cook assures stakeholders that AI technology is "absolutely critical" to the company's future.
Apple's AI Product Landscape
Although Apple has been somewhat reserved about its AI research, it has already implemented advanced machine-learning models in its products.
Notably, the iPhone's camera and Siri both incorporate machine learning capabilities. The recent iOS 17 update also introduced a transformer language model to the autocorrect system, using the same base technology found in AI chatbots.
Amidst rumors of an AI app in development, dubbed "Apple GPT" after OpenAI's large language model, the company remains tight-lipped about its potential release. Notwithstanding, the prospect of a dedicated AI app from Apple has generated considerable excitement in tech circles.
Xcode and Beyond
While Apple continues to make strides in the AI domain, speculations are rife about the next target for AI integration within Apple's ecosystem.
AppleInsider reports that many experts believe Xcode, Apple's primary developer tool, could be the company's next frontier for adding AI capabilities. This move could open up new possibilities for developers and consumers alike.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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