Apple, known for its focus on user privacy, has reportedly declined a partnership with Meta (formerly Facebook) to integrate its large language model (LLM) into iOS 18. This decision comes amidst growing competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) space, with tech giants vying for dominance in the field of intelligent assistants and virtual companions.

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple and Meta had initial discussions about a potential partnership in March of this year. These talks, however, never progressed beyond the preliminary stages. The Wall Street Journal initially reported ongoing discussions about integrating Meta’s LLM, called Llama, into Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 update. However, Bloomberg‘s follow-up suggests Apple never seriously considered partnering with Meta due to concerns surrounding the company’s data privacy practices.

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• Apple in talks with Meta for AI partnership

The timing of these talks is interesting. While Apple was in conversation with Meta, they were also exploring partnerships with other AI leaders. Discussions with OpenAI, the creators of the popular ChatGPT, and Google‘s parent company, Alphabet (responsible for the LLM known as Gemini), were taking place concurrently. Ultimately, Apple decided to move forward with OpenAI, integrating ChatGPT into its upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia updates. Users will have the option to opt-in to ChatGPT, allowing Siri to defer complex questions to this more sophisticated AI model. Additionally, Apple is reportedly finalizing a deal with Google to incorporate Gemini into its operating systems, and further discussions are underway with Anthropic, another rising star in the AI field.

This focus on offering users a choice between different AI models highlights Apple’s commitment to user control and privacy. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software engineering chief, made this clear during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). He stated that Apple wants to empower users to choose from various AI models, emphasizing the company’s intention to forge partnerships with multiple providers.