Apple is currently exploring the incorporation of artificial intelligence-powered search tools in its Safari web browser. This strategic move comes as the tech giant faces legal challenges regarding its lucrative deal with Google, while the tech industry as a whole is rapidly embracing AI technologies.
During his testimony in the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust case against Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., Apple's services chief, Eddy Cue, highlighted the potential shift towards AI-driven search services. Cue mentioned a recent decrease in Safari searches, attributing it to users turning to AI for information. He suggested that AI-powered services from companies like OpenAI, Perplexity AI, and Anthropic could potentially replace traditional search engines in the future.
While Apple has engaged in discussions with Perplexity and already utilizes OpenAI's ChatGPT in Siri, Cue emphasized the significance of the ongoing Google lawsuit on Apple's revenue. Despite concerns about potential revenue loss, he expressed the view that Google should remain Safari's default search engine for the time being.
