Apple refused to join Google and Facebook's new AI club

Apple has refused to join the likes of Google and Facebook on a new consortium that will aim to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) technology is developed in a safe, ethical, and transparent manner. The consortium -- announced on Wednesday and called Partnership on AI -- also counts Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM among its founding members. But Apple's playing hard to get. Eric Horvitz, technical fellow and managing director at Microsoft Research, said: "We've been in discussions with Apple and they're enthusiastic about the effort. I personally hope to see them join."