According to Bloomberg, Apple recently reopened discussions with OpenAI as Cupertino prepares to unveil iOS 18 and its generative AI features at WWDC in June.

We previously reported that iOS 18 is expected to be one of the most significant updates in the operating system's history and could focus heavily on artificial intelligence. Last month, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman noted that the company is in talks with Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic to partner on AI features for iOS 18.

According to Gurman, Apple has resumed discussions with OpenAI to include new generative AI features in the updated OS. Says Gurman, "The two companies have begun discussing the terms of a potential agreement and how OpenAI's capabilities would be integrated into Apple's upcoming iPhone OS, iOS 18."

"This move marks a resumption of dialogue between the two companies. Apple had spoken with OpenAI earlier this year about a deal, but since then there has been little work between the two parties.

The company is also continuing discussions with Google about licensing the Gemini chatbot, Garman added. However, Apple has not yet made a final decision on which partner it might use for future software updates, as Garman suggests that "there is no guarantee that the deal will work."

These discussions come as Apple is expected to announce new AI-powered software for devices such as the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 10, scheduled for June's Worldwide Developers Conference scheduled for June, which is expected to unveil new AI-powered software for devices such as the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 10, less than two months later.

While Apple has not yet fully embraced AI capabilities, Garman said the company plans to "showcase that [AI] capabilities are more seamlessly integrated into the device."

iOS18 is expected to include several features based on Apple's Large Language Model (LLM), the company's proprietary internally developed AI software that can generate text that resembles human speech. We previously speculated that the iPhone 16 would have a larger storage capacity to accommodate this model's AI features.

The new iPad Pro will have the new M4 chip instead of the M3, which Garman says will be the kicker for Apple to introduce AI. Garman speculates that the move is in response to the tech industry's overall "AI boom," as "Apple will position this tablet as its first truly AI-powered device and market all new products after that as AI devices."