The Apple-Meta AI Deal Is Delayed for Now

Recently, news surfaced that Apple and Meta are not engaging in discussions about an AI deal due to Meta being a fierce rival. However, the accuracy of these stories remains in question. Realistically, both could be true, but the story about the two companies not collaborating seems more realistic.

On Sunday, The Wall Street Journal shared a report stating that Meta and Apple were in discussions about connecting Apple’s devices to Meta’s AI engine. This deal would be similar in nature to one that already exists between Apple and OpenAI. The fact that these two tech giants, known for their rivalry, had even considered talking was noteworthy. However, The Journal did not indicate whether these talks were ongoing or fruitful.

A Bloomberg report published the following day offered a different perspective. While confirming that discussions had indeed taken place, this report suggested that they happened months ago with no foreseeable outcomes. Sources at Apple expressed disinterest in working with Meta, citing concerns about the latter’s privacy practices. This public jab suggests a level of animosity between the two companies.

Apple’s stance seems to revolve around maintaining a protective barrier between its users and various AI entities. While the possibility remains that Meta could be included in this group in the future, the current sentiment is not favorable. Representatives from Apple have remained silent on the matter, while Meta has declined to comment directly.

Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist, indirectly addressed the situation by reposting the Bloomberg article, adding a comment expressing dismissive sentiments towards Apple’s decision. Despite the potential implications of this news, it is likely that there is not much substance to the story outside the realm of company rivalries. Regardless, for those who enjoy tech feuds, this situation creates some entertainment as industry insiders and publications trade jabs and critique.