Apple bans internal use of ChatGPT-like tech over fear of leaks, according to leaked document

Apple employees restricted from using ChatGPT

Large Language Models have exploded in popularity in recent months, so it isn't a surprise to learn Apple could be working on a version for itself. However, these tools are unpredictable and tend to leak user data, so employees have been blocked from using competing tools.

A report from The Wall Street Journal details an internal Apple document restricting Apple employees from using ChatGPT, Bard, or similar Large Language Models (LLMs). Anonymous sources also shared that Apple is working on its own version of the technology, though no other details were revealed.

Other companies have also restricted the use of LLM tools internally, like Amazon and Verizon. These tools rely on access to massive data stores and constantly train based on user behavior.

While users can turn off chat logging for products like ChatGPT, the software can break and leak data. Leading companies like Apple to distrust the technology for fear of leaking proprietary data.

If you're not an Apple employee using a work iPhone, the ChatGPT app just launched on the App Store. Look out, though, there are many imitation apps trying to scam users.

Apple and the "AI race"

Apple works on a lot of secret projects that never see the light of day. The existence of internal development of LLM technology at Apple isn't surprising, as it is a natural next step from its existing machine learning systems.

The buzzword "Artificial Intelligence" tends to be thrown around rather loosely when discussing LLMs, GPT, and generative AI. It's been said so many times, like during Google I/O, that it has mostly lost all meaning.

Neural networking and machine learning are nothing new to Apple, despite pundit coverage suggesting Apple is somehow behind in the "AI" race. Siri's launch in 2011, followed by advances in computational photography on iPhone, shows Apple has always been involved in intelligent computing via machine learning. LLMs are an evolution of that same technology set, just on a much larger scale.

Some expect Apple to reveal some form of LLM during WWDC in June, but that may be too soon. The technology has only just begun to accelerate, and Apple tends to wait until its internal version matures before releasing such things.

Apple's fear of data leaks by LLMs isn't misplaced. However, as evidenced by Thursday's reporting, the data leaking problem still seems to suffer from the human element.