As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction in the enterprise sector, Apple is stepping up its offerings to help businesses manage AI usage more effectively. The tech giant announced plans to introduce new configuration options for OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Enterprise as part of its September software updates, giving IT administrators greater control over how employees access and leverage AI tools—while also leaving the door open for future partnerships with other AI providers.

The move comes in response to growing demand for enterprise-grade AI solutions: OpenAI reports that ChatGPT for Enterprise now serves over 5 million business customers, who use the platform to integrate AI with internal data and power custom AI agents. Apple’s integration, however, stands out for its flexibility: rather than being limited to ChatGPT alone, the new tools will let IT teams restrict or approve any external AI provider. This modular design means Apple can easily add support for other major enterprise AI platforms down the line without overhauling its underlying software protocols—a key advantage as the enterprise AI landscape evolves.

Apple’s focus on enterprise AI control aligns with its broader approach to balancing innovation and security. Alongside consumer-facing AI features (such as writing assistants and visual intelligence tools), the company has consistently rolled out admin-focused controls to help businesses manage sensitive data. For instance, Apple’s Private Cloud Compute architecture lets organizations choose whether AI processing happens on-device or in the cloud—addressing concerns about data privacy and compliance with strict industry regulations (like GDPR or HIPAA) that often slow enterprise adoption of new technologies.

The ChatGPT configuration tools go a step further by clarifying how employee AI requests are routed. Even businesses without a direct enterprise agreement with OpenAI can decide if their teams’ AI queries are sent to ChatGPT’s cloud service—filling a gap in Apple’s existing AI infrastructure, which previously relied on either Apple’s own cloud or third-party services (but not both). Critically, Apple notes that requests never flow between its cloud and ChatGPT directly, making it simpler for admins to enable or disable ChatGPT access with a single setting.

While AI is a centerpiece of Apple’s upcoming enterprise updates, the company is also enhancing other business-critical tools:

• Apple Business Manager API: A new application programming interface will let organizations integrate Apple Business Manager’s features (like device enrollment and app deployment) into existing IT systems—such as mobile device management (MDM) platforms, inventory tools, or helpdesk software—streamlining workflows.
• Enhanced Device Management: Migrations to new management services (a common need during mergers and acquisitions) will be simplified, reducing friction when onboarding employee devices to a new IT ecosystem.
• Return to Service Updates: The tool for wiping and repurposing devices will now let admins keep apps installed, cutting down on reinstallation time and bandwidth use. For the first time, this feature will also support Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
• Mac Security & Access Tools: Shared Macs will get an authenticated Guest Mode that erases user data (but not apps) after logout, while NFC reader support will let employees log in by tapping their Apple Watch or iPhone—boosting convenience without compromising security.

All these features will launch in September as part of Apple’s annual software update cycle for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro. For enterprises, the updates represent a concerted effort by Apple to position itself as a trusted partner in AI adoption—offering the flexibility to choose preferred tools, the security to protect sensitive data, and the integration to fit into existing workflows. As businesses increasingly rely on AI to drive efficiency, Apple’s focus on control and compatibility could help it stand out in a crowded enterprise tech market.