In a recent update from Apple’s closely guarded AI endeavors, Mark Gurman, the renowned Apple insider, has shared intriguing information in his Power On newsletter.
Gurman’s latest revelation suggests that the tech giant is gearing up to integrate a slew of AI-centric features in its upcoming iOS 18 in response to the dominance exhibited by its rivals in the realm of generative AI.
Reiterating his prior concerns about Apple’s unpreparedness for the surge in generative AI, driven by tech powerhouses such as Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, Gurman underscored the urgency for Apple to catch up and innovate swiftly. According to Gurman, the responsibility of spearheading the AI integration within iOS 18 has been bestowed upon Apple’s Senior Vice President, Craig Federighi.
Gurman’s newsletter emphasized Federighi’s directive to infuse iOS 18 with features leveraging the company’s proprietary large language model (LLM). This LLM, powered by a deluge of data, is anticipated to enhance the capabilities of Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and the Messages app.
The proposed upgrades aim to elevate the proficiency of both applications in handling user queries and streamlining sentence completion, closely resembling the recent advancements witnessed in rival services.
The report also delves into the potential utilization of the LLM to bolster Apple’s flagship Siri digital assistant, potentially manifesting as early as 2024.
Additionally, Apple’s Head of Services, Eddy Cue, is reportedly leading efforts to infuse AI-driven functionalities into the company’s suite of productivity apps. Gurman indicated that Cue’s team is actively exploring the application of generative AI to facilitate seamless content creation within apps like Pages and Keynote.
As Apple enthusiasts await the unveiling of the much-anticipated iOS 18, the prospect of an AI-powered ecosystem promises to add a new dimension to the user experience, potentially positioning Apple on a level playing field with its formidable competitors in the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
