Apple has unveiled its AI integration, Apple Intelligence, at its WWDC 2024 conference. Apple Intelligence aims to deliver personalized experiences across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.
Apple Intelligence will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and devices with M1 or later chips, beginning this fall with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Siri will receive new functionalities including managing notifications, text generation, email summarization, and performing actions across multiple apps.
Integration Across the Apple Ecosystem
Apple Intelligence is set to be deeply integrated into each device's OS and will be accessible across numerous apps with generative AI capabilities. It will drive new Writing Tools designed to assist you in finding the perfect words in any writing context, generate images instantly, aid with online research, scheduling, and when using Apple´s Siri voice assistant. Emphasizing a privacy-centric approach, the company assures that all data processing will occur on-device, ensuring that no user data is shared with Apple or any third parties.
Apple Intelligence leverages personal data from apps like Calendar and Maps to boost its capabilities. The system employs large language and intelligence models, primarily processing data on the latest Apple silicon. While many models operate on-device, some tasks necessitate cloud-based processing. To address privacy issues, Apple is rolling out “Private Cloud Compute“, which processes data securely in the cloud using Apple chips when local processing cannot provide the required data.
Significant Updates to Siri
The debut of Apple Intelligence includes significant updates to Siri, marking its most substantial overhaul since its introduction over a decade ago. Siri now sports a blue glowing border instead of its traditional icon and allows users to type their queries directly. This change acknowledges that voice commands are not always the best interface for interacting with AI systems.
Furthermore, Siri will incorporate ChatGPT, utilizing GPT-4o to handle complex tasks, with user approval needed before data is sent to ChatGPT. This integration will facilitate systemwide AI writing tools and image generation capabilities, with OpenAI ensuring no user requests are stored. Users can link their ChatGPT accounts to leverage premium features within Apple's ecosystem.
OpenAI-Deal and Optional ChatGPT-Feature
With the integration of ChatGPT from OpenAI into Siri and Writing Tools, users gain additional expertise conveniently without switching between applications. Siri can utilize ChatGPT for specific inquiries, such as those about photos or documents. Users can craft and illustrate original content with the Compose feature in Writing Tools.
Users can control when ChatGPT is activated and will receive a prompt before sharing any personal information. ChatGPT is accessible to everyone for free and without the need for an account. Subscribers of ChatGPT have the option to link their accounts to access premium features within these platforms.
Apple is also rolling out “Genmoji“, enabling users to design custom emoji-like reactions, and “Image Playground”, an image generation tool available via various apps and a developer API. The Photos app will be updated to improve object search capabilities and integrate features similar to Google's Magic Eraser.
CEO Tim Cook emphasized that Apple Intelligence is designed to understand users by considering their individual context, including routines, relationships, and communications. He stressed that privacy considerations are embedded into the entire system. This shift showcases Apple's commitment to focusing on “personal intelligence” as opposed to just artificial intelligence.
