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Apple has warned that it will not roll out the iPhone’s flagship new artificial intelligence features in Europe when they launch elsewhere this year, blaming “uncertainties” stemming from Brussels’ new competition rules.
The iPhone maker unveiled new AI features two weeks ago, including a partnership with OpenAI, in what chief executive Tim Cook described as its “next big step”.
But the company said its launch of “Apple Intelligence”, which analysts say is vital to ensuring customers upgrade to new iPhones, will be delayed in Europe.
Apple blamed complexities in making the system compatible with EU rules that have forced it to make key parts of its iOS software and App Store services interoperable with third parties.
“Due to the regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act,” Apple said on Friday, “we do not believe that we will be able to roll out three of these [new] features — iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence — to our EU users this year.”
The warning comes after the Financial Times reported earlier this month that regulators in Brussels are set to accuse Apple of breaking DMA rules in the coming weeks.
Apple and Brussels have been caught in a regulatory battle over its compliance with the new rules for months, after the EU opened a probe in March to examine whether Apple is still undermining competition.
This is a developing story