Phil Schiller , the head of Apple's App Store and its former marketing chief, was chosen for the position, according to people familiar with the situation. As a board observer, he won't be serving as a full-fledged director, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter isn't public.
The move follows Apple's announcement in June that it would offer ChatGPT in the iPhone, iPad and Mac as part of a suite of artificial intelligence features. The board arrangement will take effect later this year, and Schiller hasn't yet attended any meetings, according to the people. Details of the situation could still change.
The board observer role will put Apple on par with Microsoft, OpenAI's biggest backer and its main AI technology provider. The job allows someone to attend board meetings without being able to vote or exercise other director powers. Observers, however, do gain insights into how decisions are made at the company.
Representatives for Apple and OpenAI declined to comment.
With the OpenAI partnership, Apple is teaming up with the biggest and most influential AI start-up - but also a business known for controversy and upheaval. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was briefly ousted last year over concerns that he wasn't candid enough with the board. The company also has drawn criticism for downplaying AI safety fears and using a digital voice that sounded similar to actress Scarlett Johansson without an agreement.
