Why Is Apple Scrambling to Build Its Own Rival to ChatGPT?

Will Apple’s Secret AI Team Finally Beat ChatGPT and Google?

Apple has been working on something big behind closed doors. The tech giant is building its own chatbot to compete with ChatGPT and Google’s AI tools. This news comes at a time when Apple desperately needs to catch up in the AI race.

The New Team Making It Happen

Apple created a special team called “Answers, Knowledge and Information” or AKI for short. This team has one job: build Apple’s version of ChatGPT. They are calling their project an “answer engine”. Think of it like a smart search tool that can answer your questions by looking at the web.

The team is led by Robby Walker, who used to run Siri. He now reports to John Giannandrea, Apple’s AI boss. This shows how important this project is to Apple.

Why Apple Changed Its Mind About Building a Chatbot

Just last year, Apple said they didn’t want to build their own chatbot. Instead, they partnered with OpenAI to add ChatGPT to Siri. Apple executives even said that people weren’t that interested in chatbots.

But things have changed. Here’s what made Apple rethink this decision:

• Hundreds of millions of people are using AI chatbots every day
• Apple’s current AI tools aren’t impressive enough
• The company might lose its billion-dollar deal with Google if courts break it up
• Apple Intelligence has been delayed and disappointing for many users

The Privacy Challenge Apple Faces

Building an AI chatbot is hard for any company. But for Apple, it’s even harder because they care about user privacy. Most AI companies collect lots of user data to train their systems. Apple doesn’t want to do this.

This creates a tough situation. Companies like OpenAI and Google can make better AI tools because they use more data. Apple has to find a way to build powerful AI while keeping user information private.

Apple’s approach involves using Private Cloud Compute, which processes data in the cloud but deletes it right after. This means Apple doesn’t store your personal conversations to train their AI models, unlike some competitors.

What This Answer Engine Will Do

Apple’s new AI tool is still being developed, but here’s what we know it will do:

• Crawl the web to find answers to questions
• Work as a standalone app like ChatGPT
• Get built into Siri, Safari, and Spotlight search
• Help people find information without switching between apps

The company is actively hiring people who know how to build search engines and ranking systems. This shows they are serious about making this project work.

Apple’s CEO Says They Must Do This

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, recently told employees that building AI tools is critical for the company’s future. He called the AI revolution “as big or bigger” than the internet and smartphones. Cook reminded workers that Apple often enters markets late but then creates the best products.

Cook told his team: “We’ve rarely been first. There was a PC before the Mac; there was a smartphone before the iPhone… This is how I feel about AI”. This suggests Apple believes they can still win even though they’re behind.

When Will We See Apple’s ChatGPT Competitor?

Don’t expect to use Apple’s AI chatbot anytime soon. The earliest realistic timeline is 2026. Apple is also working on a completely new version of Siri that should arrive in spring 2026.

The company scrapped their original plan to simply add AI features to the current Siri. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software boss, said that approach “wasn’t going to get us to Apple quality”. Instead, they’re rebuilding everything from scratch.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

Apple faces serious challenges in the AI space. Their $20 billion deal with Google for search could end due to antitrust lawsuits. Meanwhile, Apple Intelligence still relies on outside partners like OpenAI for advanced features.

Building their own answer engine would help Apple become more independent. It would also give them better control over user privacy and the overall experience.

For Apple, this isn’t just about building another app. It’s about staying relevant in a world where AI tools are becoming essential for how people find information and get things done. The company that revolutionized smartphones now needs to prove it can do the same for artificial intelligence.