Apple is stepping deeper into the enterprise AI race with a new set of tools designed to give businesses more control over how their employees use artificial intelligence.

With software updates scheduled for release in September, Apple is introducing a key option for IT administrators: the ability to configure access to an enterprise version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The timing is notable because ChatGPT for Enterprise, launched by OpenAI in 2023, has quickly grown to over 5 million business customers, according to the company. Corporations utilize the service to connect with internal datasets and deploy AI agents for customer support, workflow automation, and research purposes. That growth has signaled the mainstreaming of generative AI in the workplace — a development Apple is now aligning itself with.

But Apple’s move is not limited to OpenAI. Support documents show that administrators will be able to restrict or allow any “external” AI provider, not just ChatGPT. This framework keeps Apple flexible in a fast-moving sector, leaving the door open to future enterprise partnerships with other major AI players such as Anthropic, Cohere, or Google DeepMind without needing to re-engineer the system at its core.

The new integration builds on Apple’s dual strategy of promoting its own Apple Intelligence features for end users — such as writing tools, email drafting, and image understanding — while ensuring IT departments retain granular control. Apple’s Private Cloud Compute architecture underscores its promise of security and on-device processing, but the company acknowledges that many enterprises will prefer to make their own decisions on data handling. That’s why Apple is allowing organizations to decide whether employee AI requests should be processed locally or sent to cloud-based services like ChatGPT.

This flexibility also explains how Apple has positioned its ChatGPT integration across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS. Requests are routed either through Apple’s own servers or ChatGPT, but never both. This makes it simpler for businesses to enable or disable ChatGPT without affecting Apple’s core intelligence features — even if the business has no direct contract with OpenAI.

Beyond AI, Apple is layering in new enterprise features. An API for Apple Business Manager will allow the service’s capabilities — like provisioning, inventory tracking, and security enforcement — to integrate directly with third-party IT tools such as mobile device management (MDM) systems and help desk software. A streamlined device migration process is being introduced for organizations undergoing mergers and acquisitions, a common pain point for IT leaders.

Apple is also enhancing its Return to Service tool, which helps reset corporate devices for redeployment. The update will allow apps to remain installed after a reset, reducing downtime and bandwidth usage. For the first time, this service will also extend to Apple’s Vision Pro headset, signaling that the company wants its spatial computing device to play a role in corporate workflows.

Security and identity management are also being reinforced. On shared Macs, authenticated Guest Mode will let employees sign in with credentials from an identity provider, with all personal data wiped on logout. Businesses will also be able to add NFC readers to Macs, enabling employees to log in simply by tapping an Apple Watch or iPhone.

These features come at a moment when AI infrastructure is becoming the next big battleground in tech. Cloud providers, chipmakers, and AI labs are spending heavily to build the backbone for generative AI. OpenAI, for instance, is investing billions — backed by Microsoft — to expand supercomputing capacity and data centers that power its enterprise-grade models. Analysts describe such spending as a bet on AI’s permanence in enterprise operations, where generative tools are expected to become as standard as email or spreadsheets.

Apple’s approach is to sit at the intersection of this shift: integrating best-in-class external AI while strengthening its own device and software ecosystem to ensure enterprise customers can adopt AI on their own terms.

The price you put on a product or service is largely inconsequential. The real deal is the perception of the customers on the specific amount. This is where the social science of pricing moves into physics.

Yes, two salespeople can introduce the same product to the same customers, and each of the customers will come out with different perceptions of the product price.

In other words, the best Pricing Power is creating perception which will move the customers, without necessarily adjusting the actual price of the product. Yes, how do you make a product seem “cheap” by not actually reducing the actual price but through perception? But note: it goes beyond being “cheap” to affordability since something could be cheap and still not affordable.

I explained perception in this Harvard Business Review article, using the iPhone as a case study. . Communicate at a higher level and reduce the “spending inertia” so that customers will open their wallets. Of course, your mastered Newton’s laws in junior secondary to understand that “energy” is needed to overcome the state of matter, and that means you need a little “energy” to close that sale. Moving from “Not Sure” to “Paid” becomes how market share is won.

Join me at Tekedia Mini-MBA as I teach the physics of product pricing. You must price smartly!

Sat, Aug 23 | 7pm-8.30pm WAT | Physics of Product Pricing and Optimizing Profitability – Ndubuisi Ekekwe | Zoom link in class board

This is Tekedia Institute, our product is knowledge. Next edition of Tekedia Mini-MBA begins in Sept.

Peter Thiel has made significant gains from his investments in Ethereum-focused companies, capitalizing on Ether’s 13.5% surge in August 2025.

His venture capital firm, Founders Fund, holds a 7.5% stake in ETHZilla, a former biotech company now accumulating Ether, and a 9.1% stake in Bitmine Immersion Technologies, which raised $250 million to acquire Ether. ETHZilla’s market value soared from $18 million to $741 million after Thiel’s investment was disclosed, while Bitmine’s valuation jumped over 1,000% since June, reaching $8.3 billion.

Thiel’s strategy hinges on Ethereum becoming Wall Street’s preferred blockchain for financial services, driven by its programmability, staking yields, and tokenized asset potential, unlike Bitcoin’s role as a store of value. Ethereum’s network activity hit $1.2 trillion in 2025, fueled by stablecoins and institutional interest, though some analysts question whether this reflects true adoption or speculative trading.

Thiel’s involvement through Founders Fund signals to institutional investors that Ethereum is a credible asset for portfolios. His track record with early bets on companies like PayPal and Facebook lends credibility, encouraging hedge funds, asset managers, and other institutional players to allocate capital to Ethereum-related investments.

Ethereum’s programmability, supporting smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, positions it as Wall Street’s preferred blockchain for tokenizing real-world assets. Thiel’s investments amplify this narrative, pushing Ethereum as a backbone for financial services.

The success of ETHZilla and Bitmine Immersion Technologies, with their soaring valuations, demonstrates market appetite for Ethereum-focused investment vehicles, potentially spurring the creation of similar funds or ETFs. The dramatic valuation increases of ETHZilla (from $18M to $741M) and Bitmine (up 1,000% to $8.3B) validate Ethereum’s growth potential.

However, some analysts question whether the $1.2 trillion in Ethereum network activity in 2025 reflects genuine adoption or speculative trading, which could introduce volatility if sentiment shifts. Ethereum’s proof-of-stake mechanism, offering yields of 3-5% annually, appeals to investors seeking passive income, unlike Bitcoin’s focus as a store of value.

Thiel’s bets highlight this advantage, potentially drawing more capital into staking pools, which locks up Ether supply and supports price stability. Thiel’s high-profile investments and the resulting price surges attract more traders to Ethereum markets.

Increased participation from retail and institutional investors boosts trading volumes on exchanges, enhancing liquidity. The success of ETHZilla and Bitmine creates new tradable assets, as their shares or tokens become vehicles for indirect Ethereum exposure, further increasing market activity.

Institutional interest, spurred by Thiel’s involvement, brings larger capital pools into Ethereum markets. For example, Bitmine’s $250 million raise to acquire Ether directly increases the circulating supply of Ether in liquid markets, as these funds are deployed. The entry of institutional players also encourages market makers to provide tighter bid-ask spreads, improving liquidity for Ether.

Growth of Ethereum-Based Financial Products

Ethereum’s role in stablecoins (e.g., USDT, USDC) and tokenized assets drives liquidity by creating a robust ecosystem of tradable instruments. Thiel’s bets signal to Wall Street that Ethereum is a platform for financial innovation, prompting the development of new products like futures, options, or ETFs, which deepen market liquidity.

Ethereum’s $1.2 trillion in network activity in 2025, largely driven by DeFi and stablecoin transactions, creates a self-reinforcing cycle. Higher activity attracts more developers and projects, increasing the number of tokens and applications on Ethereum, which in turn boosts liquidity across decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Uniswap or Curve.

Thiel’s investments amplify this by drawing attention to Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem, encouraging more users to participate in liquidity pools or yield farming. While staking locks up Ether, reducing circulating supply, it paradoxically supports liquidity by stabilizing prices and attracting long-term investors. Higher staking participation, driven by Thiel’s endorsement of Ethereum’s yield potential.

The rapid valuation spikes in ETHZilla and Bitmine suggest speculative fervor, which could lead to sharp corrections if sentiment sours, temporarily reducing liquidity during sell-offs. While Thiel’s bets signal mainstream acceptance, regulatory crackdowns on crypto or tokenized assets could deter institutional participation, impacting liquidity.

The surge in network activity, coupled with staking and DeFi growth, creates a more liquid and accessible market. However, speculative risks and regulatory hurdles could pose challenges. Ethereum’s trajectory as a Wall Street-friendly blockchain, backed by influential investors like Thiel, positions it to sustain and expand liquidity in the crypto ecosystem.