Apple Unveils Generative AI for Siri and iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia
Apple made a major announcement at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, revealing plans to introduce generative AI to Siri and integrate it throughout iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. The company confirmed rumors of a partnership with OpenAI to connect ChatGPT to its devices, but Apple Intelligence will operate as an independent generative AI service hosted on its own servers.
By adding generative capabilities to Siri and teaming up with OpenAI, Apple aims to enhance user experience within the Apple ecosystem. Apple Intelligence is expected to seamlessly integrate into users’ daily lives, offering personalized assistance and privacy-focused services. The beta version of Apple Intelligence is set to launch this fall on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, compatible with iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and select iPad and Mac devices with M1 or newer chips. ChatGPT support for Apple Intelligence is scheduled to follow in 2024.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is a suite of generative AI capabilities embedded into the next generation of Apple devices. During the WWDC AI reveal, Apple highlighted the importance of “personal intelligence” and privacy, emphasizing the use of on-device processing on A17 or M-series chips and a proprietary cloud to enhance user experience.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, stressed the significance of personal context in the WWDC keynote, noting that generative models have limited knowledge of individual needs. Apple Intelligence on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will utilize AI for “personal context” to streamline daily tasks, such as prioritizing notifications and providing relevant information based on user preferences.
Enhancements and Features of Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence introduces several new features, including:
- Personalized email writing and summarization tools
- Inter-app task automation based on natural language commands
- Custom emoji creation in messaging apps
- Generative AI images in Notes, Pages, Keynote, and third-party apps
Apple Intelligence runs on proprietary models trained on the AXLearn framework and emphasizes privacy through Private Cloud Compute for external server processing. Siri has been enhanced to understand natural language queries, remember previous interactions, and perform actions within apps on behalf of the user.
Apple’s collaboration with OpenAI will also integrate ChatGPT and GPT-4o into Siri, expanding its capabilities to access current information and external data sources. Developers will have the opportunity to define interactions between Siri and their apps, further enhancing user engagement and productivity.
As Apple continues to evolve its AI capabilities, the focus remains on user privacy, personalization, and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. The future of Apple Intelligence promises to transform how users interact with their devices and access information, setting a new standard for generative AI in the tech industry.
