At its Worldwide Developers Conference last month, Apple announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18. This collaboration signals the beginning of a close relationship between the two companies, with Apple gaining an “observer role” on OpenAI’s board of directors, similar to its existing arrangement with Microsoft. This role grants Phil Schiller, a senior figure at Apple, the ability to attend board meetings without voting rights, providing insight into OpenAI’s decision-making processes without direct influence over decisions.
Phil Schiller is an Apple Fellow and oversees the App Store and Apple events while reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. He has been at the forefront of defending the App Store against allegations of anti-competitive behavior, particularly in regions like the European Union where scrutiny is increasing. The operational implementation of the Apple-OpenAI agreement is slated for the end of the year, with details subject to potential changes. Schiller has yet to participate in OpenAI board meetings but is expected to be involved in the near future.