Apple considers third-party AI services to boost revenue

Apple intends to stimulate revenue growth in its services division through the integration of third-party AI applications and new partnerships. As reported by TechCrunch, the American tech giant's leadership announced these prospects during a quarterly earnings conference call held on Monday.

Apple CFO Kevan Parekh, responding to a question about the impact of artificial intelligence on the corporation's revenue, emphasized that AI technologies encourage users to upgrade their devices for the latest features. He also noted the existence of commercial opportunities both within their own services and through partnerships with third-party applications, without disclosing specific details.

According to Reuters, investors are counting on Apple to be able to profit from the proliferation of third-party AI agents through the App Store by charging commissions on the revenue they generate. This direction is becoming relevant against the backdrop of growing regulatory pressure on the app store and a downturn in the mobile gaming market.

Previously, legal proceedings, including a lawsuit from Epic Games, forced the company to allow user redirection to third-party payment systems in a number of jurisdictions. In August, independent estimates recorded an 18% drop in Apple's commission fees in the US, as well as a decline in performance in Brazil and Japan following the introduction of local regulatory restrictions.

Despite difficulties in the mobile gaming sector, the App Store recorded a record number of paid subscriptions in the September quarter, with double-digit growth for third-party programs. Parekh stated that Apple expects its services business revenue to grow by 8–9% in the December quarter, taking into account licensing complexities and currency fluctuations.