Apple postpones introducing new AI features in Europe

Apple announced on Friday that it would delay the European rollout of its recently announced AI features, citing “regulatory uncertainties.”

An Apple spokesperson said concerns over the delay stemmed from the European Union’s landmark legislation, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curb the power of big tech companies.

“We do not believe we will be able to roll out these features to our EU users this year,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier this month, the company unveiled Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI features for its popular devices.

The announcement was clearly an attempt to reassure users that Apple wasn’t backing down on the AI hype. This included a partnership with OpenAI to make ChatGPT available to iPhone users.

Why is Apple delaying AI in Europe?

According to Apple, the AI features are being held up due to concerns that “that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security.”

“We are committed to collaborating with the European Commission in an attempt to find a solution that would enable us to deliver these features to our EU customers without compromising their safety,” the company added.

Apple is also delaying the release of improved iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay screen sharing in Europe.

Apple Intelligence works exclusively with the company’s proprietary technology and allows users to create their own emojis based on descriptions in everyday language, generate short summaries of emails in their inbox, and more.

What is the DMA?

In an effort to establish fair competition in Europe, the EU’s Digital Markets Act includes a list of “dos” and “don’ts” for certain Internet gatekeepers, including Apple.

The DMA gives the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, the power to investigate, fine and impose structural remedies against gatekeepers.

Fines can amount to up to 10 percent of global annual turnover, and repeat offenders can be fined up to 20 percent.

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager warned on Tuesday that Apple is not complying with the DMA while the EU is conducting an investigation into the company’s business practices.