Apple adopts Biden’s voluntary AI safeguards

Apple has joined its peers in adopting a set of voluntary AI guardrails introduced by President Joe Biden’s administration to ensure responsible development and deployment of the technology. The administration announced on Friday that the iPhone maker joined other tech firms in a move also meant to protect consumers from the potential ills of the AI technology.

Last year, the White House announced the voluntary safeguards as part of an Executive Order meant to guide the development of AI systems and ensure they are safe. Under the Executive order, AI firms are supposed to test their systems to ensure they do not perpetuate discrimination, security vulnerabilities, and national security risks.

Apple joins other big techs

With this commitment, Apple has joined 15 other big techs like Amazon, Meta Platforms, Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft that committed to responsible development of AI systems, ensuring the technology is not abused by bad actors for destructive purposes, revealed The Whitehouse on Friday.

The first commitment was made in July last year. More firms like Nvidia, IBM, and Adobe also committed to the voluntary safeguards later in September.

While these safeguards are not legally binding, they provide a basis for safer AI development and foster accountability by AI developers. They also signify the efforts by big tech firms to self-regulate while minimizing the potential risks associated with AI systems.

Other principles outlined in the guidelines require tech firms to test their AI systems and share the results of those tests with academia, governments, and civil society. According to Bloomberg, the Executive Order signed by President Biden compels AI systems to be tested before federal procurement eligibility.

The move coincides with Apple’s AI moves

Apple’s move to join the initiative comes when the tech giant plans to introduce its cohesive AI system and incorporate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its voice command assistant on iPhones.

Following the announcement of a partnership with OpenAI, Tesla CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk swore to ban Apple devices if they integrate OpenAI systems, calling it a security risk.

But, Apple is unmoved. The company has also revealed that Apple Intelligence will be supported by the iPhone 15 Pro Max and its upcoming iPhone models.

According to Bloomberg, all devices equipped with M-series Apple Silicon chips for the Mac and iPad will support Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence is not yet available in beta for iOS 18, iPad or macOS, the tech giant has pledged to release some features in beta, with a public release that is expected by the end of the year.

The company also indicated that more enhancements including upgrades to its AI assistant, Siri, which leverages in-app actions and personal context are scheduled for release in the spring of 2025.

AI has grown exponentially on the back of its transformative abilities across industries although it has also been criticized for perpetuating biases in various forms. President Biden has touted AI benefits but, also warned against the possible dangers and asked AI-focused firms to be more