Since its inception, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has revolutionized the AI chatbot landscape. Noticing its success, technology companies have been quick to integrate artificial intelligence tools into their hardware and software offerings. Microsoft, being an investor in OpenAI, launched its own generative AI chatbot, Bing Chat, followed by Google’s Bard. Even Samsung is preparing to unveil its flagship Galaxy S series smartphones with AI features. However, Apple has been somewhat behind in the AI race, although it has been actively developing its own generative AI offerings. This article explores Apple’s plans to announce its AI offerings as part of iOS 18 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
According to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, Apple has been diligently testing its AI model, internally known as Ajax, since early 2023. The company intends to unveil its AI services, which include auto-summarizing and auto-complete features for its core apps and productivity software like Pages and Keynote. Apple also aims to enhance Apple Music playlists and recommendations using AI. Furthermore, Gurman notes that Apple’s voice assistant Siri will undergo an AI overhaul to compete with the advanced chatbots ChatGPT and Copilot.
With iOS 18, Apple plans to make a significant stride in the AI realm, showcasing its AI capabilities on the iPhone. While competitors like Google and Samsung have already released their AI-ready devices (such as the Pixel 8 series and upcoming Galaxy smartphones, respectively), Apple is determined to catch up. Although the company is likely to roll out its AI offerings later this year, its full-scale generative AI vision will only be realized by the following year.
Apple’s Continued Development
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed in December that upcoming iPhone 16 models will feature an upgraded microphone that greatly enhances the Siri experience and voice input. Kuo also mentioned that Apple’s Siri team has been working on large language models (LLMs) and other AI features since Q3 2023. Additionally, Apple has been in talks with publishers, including Condé Nast, the New Yorker, and NBC News, to negotiate multiyear deals worth at least $50 million. These deals would grant Apple access to news article archives, enabling them to train their generative AI systems effectively.
While Apple may have been behind its competitors in the AI race, the company is making significant strides with its generative AI push. Its upcoming iOS 18 release is expected to introduce a range of AI-powered features, including auto-summarizing and auto-complete functionalities. With an AI overhaul for Siri, Apple aims to provide an improved user experience and keep up with other advanced chatbots in the market. As Apple continues its development efforts, it is clear that the company is dedicated to integrating AI into its products and catching up to its rivals. The WWDC announcement will undoubtedly shed more light on the future of Apple’s AI offerings.
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