Apple looking to hire machine learning engineers with an interest in generative AI

Posted:
in General Discussion edited July 2023

Apple has to deal with the "AI race" just like every other tech company, which means it has to hire talent to help shape what that means for the company as a whole. And, sure enough, the company's on the hunt.

Siri may be the future of generative AI at Apple
Siri may be the future of generative AI at Apple
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

is all the rage these days, with most of the attention being directed towards Large Language Models (LLMs). Generative AI is a system that can populate text, images, and other media based on a variety of different prompts using massive data sets as a reference.

The hero product of all this is OpenAI's ChatGPT, which introduced the ChatGPT-4 model earlier this year. We've seen companies like Google and Microsoft launch their own LLMs to varying degrees of success.

Apple probably won't launch a product similar to Google's Bard, but it won't let generative AI pass by unused in some way or another. To that end, the company has posted several different job postings looking for experts in the field with backgrounds in Generative AI.

The job listing says these engineers should have a background in generative AI, or at least an interest in it:

"AI represents a huge opportunity to elevate Apple's products and experiences for billions of people globally. Apple's Technology Development Group (TDG) is looking for Machine-Learning engineers with a background and/or interest in Generative AI! You will be leveraging innovative Generative models to build fundamental applications on top of Apple's most advanced technologies, while developing your expertise in Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR)."
According toTechCrunch

, Apple first started seeking new hires for these roles dating back to April 27 of this year. The latest job postings cropped up earlier this week.

Apple's AI goals



Apple hasn't confirmed that it's going to move forward with any artificial intelligence products moving forward, but Tim Cook has said that generative AI is "very interesting". But the company is remaining cautious for now.

Recently, it was reported that Apple has banned employees from using Large Language Models in general, including Google's Bard or ChatGPT. In that same report, anonymous sources said Apple is working on a competing product, but couldn't provide any details. The company could bring the system to something like Siri in the future.

Apple still needs to focus on privacy and security, and, as it stands, these LLMs can leak data. So it's no surprise that Apple is restricting access and usage for employees, as it doesn't want proprietary data getting out into the world.

Apple invested in Machine Learning quite some time ago, so it's no surprise that it's looking for ways to expand upon it moving forward. Generative AI is certainly one route.

There have been rumors Apple might showcase something in regards to a new Large Language Model at this year's WWDC, which will start in early June.

For folks who don't work for Apple and want to try out a Large Language Model right on their phone, they can download the official ChatGPT app from the App Store.

Read on AppleInsider

alexsaunders790

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,105member
    Good!
    Gen AI will be a major thing soon.  Unlike the MetaVerse.
    watto_cobraalexsaunders790
  • Reply 2 of 8
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,291member
    There’s not actually much Artificial Intelligence in 99 percent of the things labeled as “AI” these days. It’s close to what a parrot can do if you teach it words and phrases at this stage, augmented by pre-programmed grammar and logic rules.

    That said, those who are excited for the potential of future models that rely less on user-friendly regurgitation and rearranging of information are right to be excited. As we’ve seen with the “AI” artwork programs, sufficient data and well-tuned rules aimed at producing pleasing human-aesthetic results creates new opportunities and old-school disruption, and that is what capitalism thrives on so you know it is going to be big for another 10-20 years at least.

    I’m reminded of what happened when personal computer sales, which began in the late 70s with a simple goal of automating and streamlining productivity, reached critical mass: we connected servers together to create the Internet, which opened whole new areas of communication and creativity — and also empowered a lot the darker side of humanity as well.

    Just wait until genuine, independent AI actually gets going, and machines start having dark “thoughts” …


    tyler82williamlondon
  • Reply 3 of 8
    ravnorodomravnorodom Posts: 694member
    Good!
    Gen AI will be a major thing soon.  Unlike the MetaVerse.
    Facebook missed the boat by pouring all the money on Metaverse.
    baconstang
  • Reply 4 of 8
    pairof9pairof9 Posts: 74member
    The thought that the team that has developed the pathetic Siri is now going to provide AI integration is very disconcerting.
    elijahgtyler82williamlondon
  • Reply 5 of 8
    danoxdanox Posts: 2,848member
    chasm said:
    There’s not actually much Artificial Intelligence in 99 percent of the things labeled as “AI” these days. It’s close to what a parrot can do if you teach it words and phrases at this stage, augmented by pre-programmed grammar and logic rules.

    That said, those who are excited for the potential of future models that rely less on user-friendly regurgitation and rearranging of information are right to be excited. As we’ve seen with the “AI” artwork programs, sufficient data and well-tuned rules aimed at producing pleasing human-aesthetic results creates new opportunities and old-school disruption, and that is what capitalism thrives on so you know it is going to be big for another 10-20 years at least.

    I’m reminded of what happened when personal computer sales, which began in the late 70s with a simple goal of automating and streamlining productivity, reached critical mass: we connected servers together to create the Internet, which opened whole new areas of communication and creativity — and also empowered a lot the darker side of humanity as well.

    Just wait until genuine, independent AI actually gets going, and machines start having dark “thoughts” …


     Parrots and the Corvids are smarter than current AI whatever that is.
  • Reply 6 of 8
     Apple had  some of these productive AI engineers before and for whatever reason they left.  I hope Apple is able to keep new ones when they get them. I hope they have learned whatever the lesson is to be learned from losing the other engineers. As for Siri, Eddie didn’t get it done, Craig didn’t get it done, and John G. hasn’t gotten it done. it will be interesting to see if they even mention Siri at the upcoming WWDC. At this point in time, it isn’t all about the AR/VR headset in the world of tech. 
  • Reply 7 of 8
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,404member
    A bit late to the game, it seems… especially after pioneering with (the sadly misbegotten) Siri. 

    Let’s hope it’s not a dollar short as well.
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