SKY Eye

Apple is set to take an observer role on the board of OpenAI, giving the iPhone maker similar insight into the artificial intelligence start-up as Microsoft, its biggest backer.

The board role was agreed as part of a deal between Apple and OpenAI, announced last month, to integrate ChatGPT into Apple devices. Tim Cook, the iPhone maker’s chief executive, said the partnership would be part of a suite of AI features for users, such as an enhanced Siri voice assistant, as it took the “next big step” to incorporate the technology into its products.

Phil Schiller, the head of Apple’s App Store and a member of its executive team since 1997, will take on the board observer role later this year, said a person with knowledge of the matter. The news was first reported by Bloomberg. OpenAI and Apple declined to comment.

   The observer position means Schiller can attend OpenAI board meetings although he cannot vote on any board decisions. It puts Apple on a par with Microsoft, that also gained a non-voting observer role last year.

Microsoft has invested about $13bn in OpenAI as part of a strategic partnership that allows the ChatGPT maker to use Microsoft’s massive computing and cloud resources while remaining an independent business.