Apple reduced the daily budgets employees can spend on artificial intelligence tools, according to a Bloomberg News report. The company is trying to curb costs even as it pushes AI deeper into its products and internal operations.
The cuts affect how much employees can spend on AI tokens, which are units used to measure text processed by models such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. These tools help staff write code, analyse information and complete routine tasks faster.
Apple lowered the daily AI spending cap for some engineers from USD 300 to USD 200 last month. The company is considering further reductions for certain engineering teams, potentially bringing the limit down to USD 100.
The change could affect developers and researchers who rely heavily on advanced AI models. Employees who need larger allowances for critical work can seek exemptions from senior leadership. Many non-engineering teams already face a USD 100 daily cap. Bloomberg reported that Apple may reduce the limit for some of these groups to as low as USD 25.
The move reflects a broader effort to rein in spending across the company. Apple continues to invest in AI, but it appears to want employees to use expensive third-party models more selectively.
The decision highlights a tension at Apple. The company wants AI to play a central role in its future, yet it must manage the rising cost of computing power and external AI services.
The report also comes amid a wider cost-discipline drive under CEO John Ternus. Apple’s research and development spending has climbed as the company builds AI features and expands its technology infrastructure. The scale of the impact will depend on how many teams face the lower caps and how strictly Apple enforces them.
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