Apple has built its reputation on tight control of both hardware and software. But with artificial intelligence, that model is showing cracks. The company’s latest announcements at WWDC make one thing clear: Apple is not leading the AI race. It’s outsourcing it.
Instead of fully developing its own AI systems, Apple is deepening its reliance on OpenAI’s ChatGPT. While the Cupertino giant promotes “Apple Intelligence” as a native solution, core capabilities such as screenshot analysis and advanced image generation are powered by OpenAI. This move raises questions about Apple’s long-term AI strategy and whether the company is sacrificing autonomy to stay relevant.
A Strategic Retreat
Apple Intelligence arrives with useful tools such as summarization, smart replies, and writing suggestions, but it lacks the depth and independence expected from a company of Apple’s scale. Many of these features are optional, and when enabled, they rely on external services like ChatGPT.
Internally, Apple has struggled to deliver a cohesive AI platform. Siri upgrades were postponed until at least spring 2026. The company’s attempt to merge legacy and new AI systems backfired, causing failures in up to a third of test cases. With performance issues mounting, Apple pulled its AI chief, John Giannandrea, from the WWDC spotlight. His absence signals more than a tactical decision. It suggests internal fractures in Apple’s AI leadership.
Why ChatGPT Is Now Apple’s Safety Net
Rather than delay features again or ship a flawed product, Apple made a calculated choice. It chose to rely on OpenAI while continuing internal development. That reliance goes deeper with iOS 26, where users can generate images and analyze screenshots using ChatGPT, not Apple’s own models.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple debated how much control to retain over AI. It ultimately opted to license technology from OpenAI instead of investing more time into unproven internal systems. This is not just a temporary fix. It is a sign that Apple may be stepping back from full AI self-sufficiency.
As reported by Bloomberg, the decision to use ChatGPT more extensively could have been avoided. Apple had the option to white-label OpenAI’s models as its own, buying time to refine internal tools. Instead, it split development between legacy systems and new features, leading to confusion, performance issues, and a delayed roadmap.
Apple’s AI push also comes at a time when competitors like Google, Microsoft, and Meta are doubling down on homegrown AI models. In contrast, Apple’s software is leaning on third-party solutions to power flagship features.
The Cost of Outsourcing
Apple’s integration with OpenAI works for now. But by leaning on a future competitor for critical functionality, Apple risks eroding the trust it has built on privacy, control, and self-reliance. Once a hallmark of Apple’s ecosystem, full-stack independence is now being traded for speed to market.
Outsourcing AI may keep Apple in the conversation. But it also puts its future in someone else’s hands.