29-2-2024 (CALIFORNIA) During Apple’s annual shareholder meeting on February 28, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook announced that the tech giant intends to reveal more details about its utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) later this year. Cook emphasized the “incredible breakthrough potential for generative AI,” stating that Apple is making significant investments in the area to unlock transformative opportunities in productivity, problem-solving, and more.
While Apple has been somewhat slower in incorporating generative AI compared to rivals like Microsoft and Alphabet’s Google, which have seamlessly integrated them into products, Cook assured shareholders that AI is already at work behind the scenes in Apple’s products. He hinted at forthcoming news on explicit AI features, with Bloomberg previously reporting that Apple aims to enhance data search capabilities on its devices using AI.
“Every Mac powered by Apple silicon is an extraordinarily capable AI machine. In fact, there’s no better computer for AI on the market today,” commented Cook.
Despite the focus on AI development, Apple shareholders rejected a proposal urging the company to provide more information about its use of artificial intelligence and disclose ethical guidelines for the technology. The proposal, put forward by the pension trust of the AFL-CIO, secured 37.5% of votes but did not pass. The AFL-CIO, which is the largest American labour union federation, has proposed similar AI measures at other technology companies.
Compared to its counterparts, Apple has been critiqued for lagging in the disclosure of ethical guidelines related to artificial intelligence. Brandon Rees, deputy director for corporations and capital markets at the AFL-CIO, emphasized the importance of Apple enhancing its disclosure practices on this issue.
The AFL-CIO’s proposal requested a report on Apple’s use of AI in business operations and the disclosure of any ethical guidelines regarding AI technology. The union highlighted the need for transparency, consent, and compensation to creators and rights holders, suggesting that AI systems should not be trained on copyrighted works or professional performers’ voices and likenesses without proper measures in place.
Apple opposed the proposal, citing concerns that disclosures might reveal strategic information in the competitive AI landscape. A similar proposal will be presented at Walt Disney’s annual meeting in April.
