Apple has rejected Meta Platforms’ proposal to integrate its AI chatbot into iPhones, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The two companies engaged in brief discussions in March regarding Meta’s Llama chatbot, but these talks did not advance to a formal stage. Apple decided against integrating Llama into its devices primarily due to concerns over Meta’s privacy practices, which it deemed insufficiently stringent.
The discussions between Apple and Meta occurred around the same time that Apple was negotiating agreements to incorporate OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Alphabet’s Gemini into its products.
This period of negotiations coincided with Apple’s efforts to refine its AI strategy. Earlier in June, Apple unveiled this strategy at its annual developer conference. The company announced the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and introduced its new “Apple Intelligence” technology. This technology is set to be integrated across Apple’s suite of applications, including its virtual assistant, Siri.
The report by Bloomberg News highlighted that the talks between Apple and Meta were preliminary and did not lead to any formal plans. This decision reflects Apple’s cautious approach towards partnerships involving companies whose privacy practices do not align with its standards.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the discussions between the two companies on Sunday, June 23.
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