Google boss Eric Schmidt says he will have to discuss his role as director of Silicon Valley rival Apple in the wake of his company’s decision to launch its own computer operating system.

Schmidt, who has been on the board of Apple since 2006, said he would be talking to Steve Jobs and others after some critics voiced concerns over a possible conflict of interest.

“I’ll talk to the Apple people,” he told reporters on Thursday. “At the moment, there’s no issue.”

Google said on Tuesday that it was planning to launch a new operating system next year, called Google Chrome OS. News of the system – which will be aimed at the users of small laptop computers – created enormous buzz, as the clearest signal yet that Google intends to directly challenge Microsoft’s Windows and its continuing dominance of the computer industry.

However the announcement – which was possibly timed to spoil a similar announcement due next week from Microsoft – also meant that Google is more directly competing with Apple, which makes its own operating system.

Schmidt’s role at the trendy maker of the iPod and iPhone has already been under fire for the two company’s interests in mobile phone systems and web browsers, and the Google chief executive recuses himself from the discussion of Apple’s iPhone during board meetings to avoid conflicts.

Despite scrutiny from US regulators over so-called “interlocking directorships” – who are concerned that the link could promote collusion, Schmidt has said in the past that he had never considered quitting his board role.

His latest comments came at the Sun Valley conference in Idaho, where an exclusive guest list of the world’s most powerful media executives are gathered for a retreat. Earlier in the day he had enjoyed lunch with Bill Gates, despite their rivalry, though it is believed the two did not discuss recent events.

This year, alongside moguls including Rupert Murdoch, Barry Diller and Warren Buffett, the event is also playing host to senior technology industry figures – including Schmidt, Gates, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The Sun Valley conference, organised by investment bank Allen & Co, famously acts as a relaxed retreat where the press are barred and powerful media executives can talk business while engaging in activities such as biking, hiking and playing golf.