Apple is reportedly partnering with Foxconn to develop dedicated servers exclusively for training and testing artificial intelligence (AI) services. The Taiwanese company, Foxconn, which is known for manufacturing Apple products, will supply these servers for Apple’s AI initiatives, according to a report from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, as cited by South China Morning Post.
These specialized servers are expected to be produced in Vietnam, reflecting Apple’s strategy to diversify its supply chain away from its dependency on China. Currently, Foxconn is the primary supplier of data center servers for Apple.
The move to employ dedicated servers for AI services underscores Apple’s growing interest in artificial intelligence technologies. Reports have indicated that Apple is working on its own AI projects, including what is being referred to as “Apple GPT,” which could be a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Despite Apple’s focus on AI, the company doesn’t have a finalized strategy for consumer-oriented AI products. While some sources suggest that Apple might make a significant AI-related announcement in 2024, there is no concrete plan in place yet.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has noted that Apple’s progress in the field of generative AI technology is currently lagging behind its competitors. This suggests that Apple might not be ready to launch AI services in the near future.
During a recent earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized the importance of AI and machine learning in the company’s product lineup. Cook mentioned that AI is fundamental to almost every Apple product, and the company has been exploring generative AI for several years.
While Apple’s specific plans for AI services and products remain uncertain, its collaboration with Foxconn to develop dedicated servers signals the company’s commitment to advancing AI technology in its ecosystem.
