Main image of article Apple Chatbot Could Intensify Generative A.I. Market

Apple is reportedly working on its own chatbot.

According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple “has built its own framework to create large language models—the A.I.-based systems at the heart of new offerings like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard.” However, Apple doesn’t yet have a strategy for integrating “Apple GPT” into its current slate of products.

Activity around generative A.I. has only increased in recent months. Meta recently launched a second version of its own large language model, dubbed “Llama 2.” Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to commercialize its chatbot work with “Copilot,” which will integrate generative A.I. features into its productivity software (and cost $30 per month per user). Thousands of companies are experimenting with how to best blend ChatGPT and Google’s Bard chatbot into their current workflows.

For tech professionals everywhere, the rise of generative A.I. and chatbots has sparked quite a bit of worry, and with good reason. For example, many software developers are worried about chatbots’ rapidly improving ability to code and debug software; if a machine can do the job, why would a company pay for a human? However, there are also hints that A.I. could improve tech pros’ jobs.

For example, some pundits and tech pros argue that A.I. will eliminate the need to carry out lower-level tasks like debugging, freeing up time for creative pursuits like coming up with new features. There’s also the possibility that A.I. will create new tech-centric jobs such as “prompt engineer.” A new generation of “A.I. app stores” could open up the possibility of tech pros selling some flavor of A.I. software products.

According to Stack Overflow’s latest Developer Survey, more than three-quarters (77 percent) of developers and engineers have either a favorable or very favorable opinion of A.I. tools. Additionally, 25 percent think that A.I. will speed up their learning in some way. There’s every possibility this cutting-edge technology could benefit your career—provided you stay on top of the latest developments in the space.