Apple joins AI research group Partnership'

Technology giant Apple has joined the Partnership on AI, a nonprofit group researching the uses of artificial intelligence. The Partneship’s members are big names of the tech heavyweights that include Facebook, Google, Amazon and Microsoft.

"Apple has joined the Partnership on AI as a founding member," the group said in a post. "The company has been involved and collaborating with the Partnership since before it was first announced and is thrilled to formalize its membership.

The Partnership’s aim is "to study and formulate best practices on AI technologies, to advance the public's understanding of AI, and to serve as an open platform for discussion and engagement about AI and its influences on people and society."

Apple joining the Partnership indicates that the company is becoming less secretive. In December last year, Apple also published its first paper on artificial intelligence.

Bloomberg news reported late Wednesday that Apple would likely join the Partnership.