Apple has joined the list of tech giants that have committed to promoting the safe and responsible development of AI. This follows the release of the first beta version of iOS with Apple Intelligence.

The iPhone maker signed the Biden administration's voluntary AI safety guidelines, first introduced in July 2023.

By joining the pact, Apple aligns itself with 15 other major companies in the AI industry, including OpenAI, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

The guidelines call for rigorous testing of AI systems to identify risks such as discriminatory bias, security vulnerabilities, and national security concerns.

The voluntary guidelines are an effort by the Biden administration to promote responsible AI development in the absence of formal regulation.

The White House touts these voluntary guidelines as "the most comprehensive action to date" to protect Americans from the potential risks of AI systems.

Here is a breakdown of its draft recommendations:

While not legally binding, the agreement encourages transparency and cooperation among industry leaders, government agencies, civil society organizations, and academia.

As Congress continues to address AI regulatory challenges, initiatives such as the voluntary safety pact provide a stepping stone to a more inclusive governance framework.

This new commitment comes at a pivotal moment for Apple, which is preparing to integrate OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot into the iPhone's Siri voice assistant.

The partnership has been criticized by some industry leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has expressed concerns about the security implications of integrating OpenAI's technology at the iOS operating system level.

While it is good to see Apple show commitment at a time when its stance on privacy is being questioned, it is important to note that this move is more symbolic than anything else.

The new guidelines for AI safety are not law, so there are no legal repercussions for violating them, even after signed commitments have been made.

As the AI industry continues to grow in size, the need for more enforceable regulations could not be more pressing.

Whatever their intentions, companies can easily renege on their promises through voluntary commitments without facing formal penalties or fines.