Apple is stepping up its AI game by integrating OpenAI's powerful language model into Siri, its renowned voice assistant. In a recent move unveiled at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple revealed a deal with OpenAI that marks a significant leap in the capabilities of Siri.
However, Apple's commitment to advancing its artificial intelligence doesn't stop there. In a technical document released post-event, it was highlighted that Google has also played a crucial role in this development, indicating a collaborative effort to bolster Apple's AI infrastructure.
Apple's engineers built the foundation of its AI models using a combination of proprietary framework software and specialized hardware. This includes Apple's own on-premise graphics processing units (GPUs) alongside Google's tensor processing units (TPUs), which are only available through Google's cloud services.
Google has been at the forefront of TPU development for nearly a decade, recently announcing two versions of its fifth-generation chips designed for AI training that rival Nvidia's high-performance H100 AI chips. Furthermore, Google is set to launch its sixth-generation TPU later this year, promising even greater performance optimizations tailored for AI applications.
The TPUs are integral to running AI workloads and training models, with Google developing a robust cloud computing platform to support these processors. This strategic alignment allows Apple to leverage Google's advanced technology to enhance Siri's intelligence and responsiveness.
Apple and Google have yet to comment on the extent of the collaboration or how much Apple's reliance on Google's chips and software weighs against other providers like Nvidia. Typically, utilizing Google's TPUs requires purchasing access through its cloud division, similar to how businesses acquire computing resources from Amazon's AWS or Microsoft's Azure.
This partnership underscores the growing trend of tech giants collaborating to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence, offering enhanced experiences to users worldwide. As both companies continue to innovate, the integration of Google's cutting-edge TPU technology is expected to significantly elevate Siri's performance and capabilities, marking a new era in smart assistant technology.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com