According to Bloomberg, Apple has officially obtained a board observer position at OpenAI, an AI front-runner, as part of a milestone partnership agreement announced last month. This move signifies a new phase in the collaboration between Apple and OpenAI, with further strengthening of their strategic synergy. The responsibility of serving as a board observer at OpenAI falls on Phil Schiller, the head of the App Store and former marketing guru at Apple. It is worth noting that Schiller will attend the meetings in an informal capacity, bringing a unique perspective and insights to Apple. Looking back to June of this year, Apple had already announced its integration of ChatGPT into its iPhone, iPad, and Mac product lines as a crucial element in driving the development of its AI ecosystem. The establishment of the board observer position is expected to take effect later this year, although Schiller has not yet participated in any specific meetings. Nevertheless, this appointment undoubtedly lays a solid foundation for future collaboration between the two parties. It is worth noting that while it is not uncommon for Apple executives to serve as directors in other companies, directly joining the board of such a heavyweight partner is still a rare move. Previously, after making a strategic investment of $1 billion in Didi Chuxing, Apple briefly served as a board member of the company. However, this collaboration with OpenAI is undoubtedly more eye-catching. However, this partnership has also raised concerns about potential "conflicts" between Apple and Microsoft. As the largest investor and core technology supporter of OpenAI, Microsoft competes fiercely with Apple in multiple areas. Schiller's inclusion in the OpenAI board as an Apple representative may complicate discussions on sensitive topics related to future cooperation between the two companies. Especially in the AI strategic planning discussions between OpenAI and Microsoft, Microsoft may prefer to maintain a certain level of confidentiality and limit the involvement of non-directly interested parties. Nevertheless, the role of a board observer itself allows for flexibility. Typically, when sensitive topics arise, observers may be asked to leave the meeting to ensure the confidentiality of the discussions is not compromised. Although Phil Schiller does not directly lead Apple's AI projects, his extensive experience in brand management and market strategy makes him an ideal candidate for this position. Since stepping down from his role as marketing chief in 2020, Schiller has continued to oversee the operations of the App Store and has taken on the responsibility of managing Apple's product launch events. Furthermore, his experience as a board member at Illumina Inc., a company in the medical technology field, further highlights his ability to collaborate across domains and provide strategic insights.