Apple Spends Millions on Images: AI Training Gets a Shutterstock Boost
Apple has recently made the strategic decision to abandon its automotive ambitions, shifting its focus toward the realm of artificial intelligence. Reports have emerged that the company has developed an AI model capable of editing images based on natural language commands from users. This technological advancement enables the AI to respond by understanding the context of natural language instructions.
It is widely acknowledged that the training of artificial intelligence models requires substantial data. According to Reuters, Apple has entered into a partnership with Shutterstock, securing the rights to use its extensive image library through a deal valued between $20 million and $50 million. In pursuit of minimizing errors in its AI capabilities, Apple is reportedly looking to further expand its training database. Photobucket, with its vast collection of approximately 13 billion images and videos, is likely to be Apple’s next collaborator. Moreover, Apple has been engaging closely with companies that hold significant rights to images and videos. Intriguingly, in an interview, Photobucket CEO Ted Leonard mentioned that they are currently in discussions with several tech companies for potential partnerships, offering pricing ranging from 5 cents to $1 per image and over $1 for each video, with specific rates dependent on the type of imagery.
Many Apple users are eagerly anticipating the AI features of iOS 18, with rumors suggesting it could be the most significant update in the history of iOS. Notably, enhancements to Siri are drawing particular attention. Apple is reportedly utilizing its large language model to train Siri and Spotlight search, aiming to enhance their contextual understanding capabilities. This effort is expected to render these services comparable in responsiveness and understanding to the likes of ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Consequently, Apple’s advancements in artificial intelligence could revolutionize how users interact with the iPhone and other Apple products.
