Apple Intelligence shows Apple’s vision for AI, aiming to transform our interaction with technology. By incorporating advanced machine learning into everyday devices, it seeks to improve user experiences and efficiency. This initiative uses sophisticated algorithms to personalize interactions and make devices more intuitive and responsive.
As Apple’s answer to the growing trend of AI technologies like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence aims to enhance Siri and overall smart experiences. It strives to offer iPhone users a more advanced and custom experience, setting a new standard for tech innovation. (Via).
The new AI will offer more conversational interactions with Siri. Furthermore, users can expect automated proofreading and text summarization across apps. Also, it comes with lightning-fast image generation. Apple’s AI ecosystem aims to enhance user experiences and streamline operations throughout its product lineup. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s groundbreaking new AI.
Apple Intelligence Release and Compatibility
Apple Intelligence was set to launch this fall with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. But, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has delayed the full release. The new iPhone 16 will arrive in September with the iOS 18 beta, while Apple Intelligence will now be available a few weeks later with iOS 18.1.
At first, Apple Intelligence will work on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, iPads, and Macs with M1 or newer chips. The new iPhone 16 models will also support these features, but they will be available only in English at the start.
The delay is because the advanced AI features need the latest neural engines, GPUs, and CPUs. Users with an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max in Apple’s Developer program could try an early version of Apple Intelligence in July with the iOS 18.1 beta.
AI Features
Apple Intelligence brings new features to its devices, focusing on three main areas: writing help, image creation and editing, and making Siri better.
You’ll find these features across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, with each platform offering similar tools. Key features include Writing Tools, Image Playground, and improved photo Memories, along with better Siri capabilities.
For iPadOS users with an Apple Pencil, there are extra features. Smart Script in Notes will tidy up and smooth out handwritten text. The new Math Notes calculator will solve equations and create interactive graphs with just one tap.
Writing Tools
Image Playground
Apple Intelligence will improve image creation and editing with the new Image Playground app. This app lets users create images quickly in three styles: Animation, Illustration, and Sketch. While Image Playground is a standalone app, it will also work smoothly with other Apple apps like Messages.
The Photos app’s Memories feature is getting a big upgrade. Before, Memories could pick out important people, places, and pets and make collections with music. Now, the new AI will create even more personalized and exciting content. Users can type prompts like “best friends road trip to LA 2024,” and the AI will choose the best photos and videos, tell a story, and make a short film with chapters based on the themes in the images. The update will also add a Clean Up tool, like Google’s Magic Eraser, and better Search functions, available when the public beta starts.
Siri
One of the biggest upgrades with Apple Intelligence is the transformation of Siri. Apple’s digital assistant will become more integrated into the operating system, with improved conversational skills and natural language processing. Siri will now remember details from past interactions, making it more intuitive. Users will also experience smoother transitions between spoken and written commands, enhancing their interactions with Siri.
Apple Intelligence Privacy
To prevent expensive and harmful data breaches, Apple is putting a strong focus on privacy with Apple Intelligence. The new Private Cloud Compute (PCC) is a secure AI system designed to handle complex tasks while protecting user data.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, explained that most of Apple Intelligence’s work will happen directly on the device, using Apple’s newest A17 and M-series processors. “It knows about your data without collecting your data,” Federighi said at WWDC 2024.
Federighi explained that if a request surpasses what the device can handle, Apple Intelligence will rely on PCC. Only the essential data for the task will be sent to Apple’s servers, greatly reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.
“Your data is never stored or accessible to Apple,” Federighi said. “It’s used only to complete your request. Just like with your iPhone, independent experts can review the code running on these servers to verify our privacy standards.”
ChatGPT partnership
This fall, Apple devices will welcome a new generative AI alongside Apple Intelligence. At WWDC, Apple and OpenAI unveiled their partnership, which will integrate ChatGPT, powered by GPT-4o, into Siri and Writing Tools. This collaboration will introduce advanced features like image and text generation into the Apple ecosystem.
When Siri can’t handle complex queries, ChatGPT will step in to provide answers. These requests will be processed through OpenAI’s public compute cloud, rather than Apple’s Private Cloud Compute (PCC). However, users won’t need to switch away from Siri to get ChatGPT’s responses; Siri will deliver them seamlessly.
For privacy, Apple will ask for user permission before sending any requests or attached documents and images, giving users control over what information is shared.
Apple Intelligence Trained on Google Tensor’s Processing Units
A recent Apple research paper shows that Apple used Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to train its Apple Intelligence model, instead of Nvidia’s GPUs. TPUs are powerful and more energy-efficient, which is a big change from Nvidia’s dominance in the AI chip market. Nvidia currently controls 70% to 95% of this market. Apple’s decision could signal a shift, as other big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft are also working on their chips to compete with Nvidia.
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