Apple, traditionally known for its innovation and being a late but strategic entrant into new technologies, appears to be facing challenges with artificial intelligence (AI) in 2024. Reports indicate that the tech giant, $AAPL, is considering outsourcing key AI features, potentially to its biggest competitor, Google, $GOOG. This move comes amid a broader AI war, with Apple also exploring alliances with Chinese tech companies. The discussions with Google and possibly OpenAI are aimed at integrating advanced AI features into iOS, with a deal with Google being seen as more likely within this year. Additionally, Apple is reportedly working on its own large language model (LLM) named Ajax, signaling its efforts to catch up in the AI race. This situation underscores the intense competition and strategic maneuvers among tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Apple, as they seek to dominate the rapidly evolving AI landscape in 2024.