Google still doesn't have an answer to Apple's AI-potential, says Wedbush's Dan Ives

CNBC Television
14 May 202404:21

TLDRWedbush's Dan Ives discusses the ongoing AI arms race and Google's position in the market. He notes that while Google is making strides to catch up with Microsoft and Open AI, it still lacks a clear answer to Apple's AI potential, particularly if Siri were to be powered by ChatGPT. Ives emphasizes the importance of Google demonstrating its AI capabilities, especially in search and cloud services, to remain competitive. He also highlights the significance of the upcoming iPhone 16 and Apple's AI strategy, which is heavily reliant on its partnership with Open AI. The discussion touches on the unexpected alliance between Apple and Microsoft to strengthen their position against rivals, and the anticipation surrounding Google's next moves in the AI space.

Takeaways

  • 🚀 Google is actively trying to close the gap against Microsoft and Open AI in the AI arms race.
  • 🔍 Google needs to demonstrate its ability to monetize AI, particularly in search and cloud services.
  • 📱 The future of Apple's AI is closely tied to the iPhone, with speculation about the iPhone 16 and AI integration.
  • 🤝 There's a potential partnership between Apple and Open AI, which could significantly impact the market.
  • 💡 Google's challenge is to showcase its unique value in AI to developers and consumers, especially after setbacks with Gemini.
  • 💰 Monetization strategies for Google's AI advancements, such as Gemini, are crucial for their future in advertising.
  • 📈 Google aims to lead in AI again, emphasizing the importance of their search dominance.
  • 🔥 The competition for the trillion-dollar AI market is intensifying, with key players like Nadella of Microsoft and Cook of Apple.
  • 📱 If Siri were to be powered by ChatGPT, it could pose a significant challenge to Google's search dominance.
  • 🤔 Google is yet to present a clear answer to Apple's potential AI advancements, particularly in consumer voice usage.
  • ⚖️ The historical rivalry between Apple and Microsoft has taken a turn, with a potential alliance to face other competitors in the AI space.

Q & A

  • What is Dan Ives' perspective on the current state of the AI arms race?

    -Dan Ives believes that there is an ongoing AI arms race, with Google quickly narrowing the gap against Microsoft and Open AI. He emphasizes the importance of Google demonstrating its ability to monetize AI, especially in the context of search and cloud services.

  • What does Dan Ives think Google needs to show in terms of AI to remain competitive?

    -Google needs to showcase its Gemini perspective and AI capabilities to prove that they can monetize the technology effectively. They also need to demonstrate their unique offerings that set them apart from competitors like Microsoft and NVIDIA.

  • What is the significance of the iPhone in the context of Apple's AI strategy?

    -The iPhone is seen as the future of Apple's AI strategy, with the potential for AI integration in upcoming models like the iPhone 16. Apple's partnership with Open AI is a key aspect of this strategy.

  • How does Dan Ives view the potential impact of an Open AI partnership with Apple?

    -Dan Ives considers the potential partnership between Apple and Open AI as a significant event that could pose a challenge to Google. If Apple's iPhone were to integrate advanced AI, particularly through a collaboration with Open AI, it could disrupt Google's dominance in search and cloud services.

  • What is the role of search in Google's AI strategy?

    -Search remains a central component of Google's AI strategy. Google aims to monetize its search capabilities and demonstrate its leadership in this area, ensuring that it continues to be the go-to platform for users and advertisers alike.

  • What is the importance of the Gemini project for Google?

    -The Gemini project is crucial for Google as it represents their attempt to innovate and monetize in the AI space. It is a key area where Google needs to demonstrate its product superiority and technological prowess to developers and the market.

  • How does Dan Ives perceive the challenge Google faces with consumer voice usage?

    -Ives sees the shift towards consumer voice usage as a significant challenge for Google. If voice-activated assistants like Siri, potentially powered by technologies like ChatGPT, become more prevalent, Google needs to find a way to maintain its relevance and market share.

  • What does Dan Ives suggest is Google's current position in the enterprise market?

    -Google is believed to have a strong position in the enterprise market, with its cloud tools, reliability, capability, and scalability being significant advantages. However, the consumer market presents a different set of challenges.

  • What is the potential threat to Google if Apple's Siri were to be powered by ChatGPT?

    -If Siri were to be powered by ChatGPT, it could lead users to default to using Apple's AI assistant, which would be a nightmare scenario for Google. This could diminish Google's search dominance and challenge its position in the market.

  • How does Dan Ives view the historical rivalry between Apple and Microsoft in the context of their potential partnership?

    -Ives finds it ironic, given the historical rivalry, that Apple and Microsoft might be bonding to compete against other rivals. He suggests that this partnership is driven by the need to have the best technology in the market.

  • What does Dan Ives suggest is the key dynamic playing out in the AI market?

    -The key dynamic, according to Ives, is who will be able to monetize AI technology effectively. This involves not only developing advanced AI capabilities but also integrating them into consumer products and services in a way that drives revenue.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Google's AI Strategy and the Arms Race

The conversation begins with a discussion on the current AI arms race and Google's position in it. The speaker, Dan Ives, suggests that Google is quickly narrowing the gap against Microsoft and Open AI. The importance of Google demonstrating its capabilities in AI, particularly in relation to search and cloud services, is highlighted. The potential partnership between Apple and Open AI is mentioned, with speculation about the future of the iPhone and its AI capabilities. The speaker emphasizes the significance of Google's event for developers and the company's need to showcase its unique offerings to stay competitive.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Arms Race

The term 'AI Arms Race' refers to the competitive development and advancement of artificial intelligence technologies by various companies and entities, akin to an arms race. In the context of the video, it highlights the ongoing competition between tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Open AI to dominate the field of AI, which is central to the discussion about Google's position and strategy in the market.

💡Monetization

Monetization is the process of generating revenue from a product or service. In the script, it is discussed in relation to Google's need to effectively monetize its AI technologies, such as Gemini, to stay competitive. The monetization strategy is crucial for Google to ensure that its AI investments translate into profitable business models.

💡Gemini

Gemini is likely a reference to a specific Google product or project related to AI. The script suggests that Google has faced challenges with Gemini's launches, and it is important for the company to demonstrate its capabilities and unique value to developers and consumers, which is a key part of Google's narrative in the AI space.

💡iPhone 16

The iPhone 16 is mentioned as a future product that will be integral to Apple's AI strategy. It signifies Apple's ongoing innovation and the anticipated integration of advanced AI capabilities into their devices. The discussion around the iPhone 16 in the script underscores the importance of AI in consumer electronics and the competitive landscape.

💡Open AI

Open AI is a research organization that aims to promote and develop friendly AI in a way that benefits humanity as a whole. In the transcript, Open AI is highlighted as a potential partner for Apple, indicating a strategic alliance that could pose a challenge to Google's dominance in the AI field.

💡Search

Search, in the context of the video, refers to Google's core business of providing search services. It is emphasized as a key area where Google must continue to innovate and monetize effectively using AI. The script discusses the importance of search in maintaining Google's competitive edge and its relevance in the broader AI ecosystem.

💡Cloud

Cloud computing is the delivery of various services through the internet. In the script, Google's cloud services are mentioned as a significant aspect of their AI strategy, particularly in terms of advertising and monetization. The cloud is a critical platform for deploying and scaling AI applications.

💡Advertisers

Advertisers are entities that promote their products or services through various mediums, including online platforms. The script discusses the impact of AI on advertising, particularly how Google's AI advancements could influence the way advertisers operate on their platform.

💡AI Strategy

An AI strategy refers to a company's comprehensive plan for integrating and leveraging AI technologies across its operations. The video script suggests that Apple's AI strategy is heavily focused on the iPhone and a partnership with Open AI, which is a significant aspect of the competitive dynamics in the tech industry.

💡Android Phone

The Android phone represents the line of devices that use the Android operating system, which is developed by Google. In the context of the video, it is implied that Google's AI advancements for Android phones are a key component of their strategy to remain competitive in the smartphone market.

💡Siri

Siri is Apple's voice-activated virtual assistant. The script speculates on the potential for Siri to be powered by advanced AI like ChatGPT, which could significantly enhance user experience and preference for Apple's ecosystem over Google's services. This highlights the strategic importance of AI in the user interface and experience.

Highlights

Wedbush's Dan Ives discusses the ongoing AI arms race and the positioning of Google in the market.

Google is narrowing the gap against Microsoft and Open AI, but needs to demonstrate their monetization strategy.

The future of Apple's AI is closely tied to the iPhone, with potential implications for the iPhone 16.

Google's challenge is to showcase its AI capabilities beyond search and cloud services.

Dan Ives suggests that Google needs to prove its unique value proposition to developers and consumers.

Google's past struggles with Gemini and other launches are highlighted as areas for improvement.

The importance of Google demonstrating leadership in AI is emphasized.

Google's dominance in search is contrasted with the need to innovate in AI.

The potential impact of Siri being powered by ChatGPT on Google's market position is discussed.

Google is yet to present a clear answer to Apple's AI advancements.

The discussion points to a potential partnership between Apple and Open AI.

The significance of the iPhone 16 and Apple's AI strategy in the context of the competition with Google is highlighted.

The irony of Apple and Microsoft potentially bonding to compete against other rivals is noted.

The importance of having the best technology in the AI space is underscored.

Google's event is framed as a crucial moment to demonstrate their AI direction.

The anticipation of further developments in the AI market is expressed.

Dan Ives' appearance in a lime green jacket adds a personal touch to the discussion.