Apple has launched itself into the artificial intelligence (AI) race with a flurry of updates to its iPhone software and a deal with OpenAI that will add ChatGPT to hundreds of millions of smartphones.
Soon, iPhone users will be able to use AI-powered technology to reply to emails, draft blog posts and presentations, create synthetic artwork and design customised emojis.
The tech giant has also revealed a major upgrade to its Siri digital assistant, giving the voice aide, which it first launched in 2011, the ability to respond to more complex queries, leaning on the power of OpenAI’s technology.
The new features – which the company has dubbed “Apple Intelligence” – come as technology businesses pile into AI. Google has already launched a series of AI tools in the form of its Gemini chatbot, while Microsoft has a deal with OpenAI for its Windows products.
Apple has been behind the crowd, but on Monday it launched an effort to catch up with AI-inspired tweaks across its latest smartphone operating system – iOS 18 – as well as on MacOS and on iPad.
When will iOS 18 be released?
Apple’s iOS 18 smartphone software, the update through which the new features will be made available, is expected to be released in September. Other hardware like Macbooks and iPads are also expected to gain access then.
What did Apple announce and what is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is the tech giant’s spin on the new wave of AI tools coming to market, but the iPhone-maker says its technology will come with various added privacy features that set the company apart from rivals.
Like its competitors, many of Apple’s new AI products rely on so-called Large Language Models – AI tools that have been trained on billions of pages of books and articles that can generate human-sounding text or speech.
Among the tools are products that can speed up replies to emails, take notes, summarise meetings or transcribe audio. Most of Apple’s new AI features will appear in different programmes across its phones and laptops and built into its Siri voice assistant, rather than in a stand-alone app.
Apple says its AI tools are processed on the device itself or on Apple’s own servers – rather than using third-party data centres or internet infrastructure – which means its products should be more secure.
Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, said: “Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence. And it can access that information in a completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them.”
As well as its own tools, Apple will also offer access to ChatGPT for free on its iPhones – without the need to create an account.
