Apple, the last of the Big Tech giants to reveal its generative AI strategy, is set to unveil its plans soon, with a focus on revolutionizing the iPhone experience. According to Bloomberg, Apple intends to integrate generative AI capabilities into iOS 18, enhancing both in-house apps and broader system functionalities.
AI Integration Across iOS 18
Apple plans to embed AI features deeply into its ecosystem, including Safari, Maps, the notification system, and Spotlight search. Most of the AI processing will be handled by the iPhone’s own silicon, with only a minor portion processed in the cloud. This approach mirrors Google’s on-device processing for its Gemini Nano model on Pixel 8 series phones, enabling tasks like summarization, transcription, and smart replies.
Enhanced Siri and New AI Features
Siri is set for a significant upgrade, leveraging Apple’s large language models to enable more natural interactions. This enhancement will not only improve the iPhone experience but also extend to smartwatches. AI will also be used for transcription of voice memos, similar to Google’s Recorder app, and for media editing, akin to Google Photos’ Magic Eraser and AI Unblur features.
Spotlight and Safari Enhancements
Spotlight search will see improved capabilities, making it more powerful and useful. Safari web search will also benefit from AI enhancements, providing a more intuitive and efficient browsing experience.
AI-Generated Emojis and Notification Summaries
On the fun side, Apple will allow users to create custom emojis on the fly using text-to-image AI. Additionally, an automated system will dynamically suggest custom emojis based on the context of messages. Notifications will also be summarized by AI, providing concise recaps of app alerts, messages, calls, documents, news alerts, and more.
No Standalone AI Chatbot
Interestingly, Apple will not introduce its own AI chatbot like Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Instead, the company has partnered with OpenAI to develop custom experiences based on GPT models. Apple is also reportedly in talks with Google to incorporate Gemini features more meaningfully.Apple is expected to announce these AI advancements at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 in a few weeks, marking a significant step in its AI journey.
Apple’s forthcoming AI initiatives promise to significantly enhance the iPhone user experience, bringing it in line with, and potentially ahead of, competitors. With advancements in Siri, media editing, notifications, and more, Apple’s entry into the AI space is poised to be a game-changer.
