Billionaire Elon Musk has issued a stark warning regarding the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Apple’s operating systems. Musk, known for his outspoken views on technology and privacy, has threatened to ban the use of Apple devices at his companies if Apple goes ahead with the integration.

In a June 10 X post, Musk called the potential integration an "unacceptable security violation," emphasizing the severity of his stance. He stated, “If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies.” Musk's concerns are not limited to his employees; he even suggested that visitors to Tesla, SpaceX, and his other enterprises might need to store their Apple devices in a Faraday cage upon entry to prevent potential security risks.

This announcement came in response to Apple’s reveal at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10, where the tech giant introduced “Apple Intelligence,” a suite of new generative AI features set to be included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Among these features is a significant update to Siri, which will enable the voice assistant to utilize ChatGPT for answering user questions. According to Apple, this feature will prompt users before any data is sent to ChatGPT, ensuring transparency and user consent.

The integration of ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI’s latest GPT-4 model, has sparked a heated debate. Musk argued that Apple’s reliance on OpenAI's technology is a betrayal of user privacy and security, stating, “Apple using the words ‘protect your privacy’ while handing your data over to a third-party AI that they don’t understand and can’t themselves create is *not* protecting privacy at all.” He further criticized Apple for outsourcing what he sees as a core competency, suggesting it is “patently absurd” that Apple isn't developing its own AI capabilities.

Musk’s comments have sparked widespread discussion and controversy. While he did not provide specific details about the privacy protections in place for the OpenAI integration, his post triggered the “readers added context” feature on X. The added context linked to Apple’s press statement, which explained that user IP addresses would remain obscured and that OpenAI would not store requests, aiming to alleviate some privacy concerns.

Despite the controversy, the announcement from Apple did not result in a positive market reaction for AI-linked cryptocurrencies. According to CoinGecko, the prices of Render (RNDR), Fetch.ai (FET), and SingularityNET (AGIX) fell by 5.9%, 3.3%, and 3.9%, respectively, over the last 24 hours following the news.

The implications of Musk’s threat are significant, given his influence and the scale of his companies. A ban on Apple devices at Musk’s enterprises could impact thousands of employees and visitors, setting a precedent in the ongoing debate over privacy and AI integration. As the 2024 presidential campaign progresses and discussions around technology and privacy intensify, Musk’s bold stance highlights the broader concerns about the balance between innovation and security in the digital age.