Apple is only days away from revealing to the world, how it plans to integrate generative AI into products. While we may get a sneak-peek as early as next week at its Let Loose special event on May 7, more comprehensive details are expected to follow on June 10 at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2024. WWDC is where Apple will unveil its next major iteration of iOS — iOS 18 — and all the AI-powered features the new update has in store for iPhone (and iPad) users.
As is usually the case, rumour mills are going berserk with anticipation and a new online report just gave us some clue into one of Apple’s purported next-Gen AI feature. Ever since reports started doing the rounds about Apple’s hotly-anticipated foray into artificial intelligence, we’ve been hearing that Siri, its virtual assistant, is set to get a major AI upgrade.
Reports have pegged that Apple seems to have cracked the code on integrating a powerful large language model called Ajax into Siri without compromising on privacy. In theory, this means, it may be possible to run powerful AI models, like the ones behind ChatGPT, locally on the iPhone very soon. While Ajax can generate simple responses locally, more complex requests may require server assistance, something that could be enabled through partnerships with Google or OpenAI. Apple is reportedly exploring collaborations with these companies to bolster its AI capabilities.
A new report from Apple AppleInsider suggests that AI-powered Siri in iOS 18 will be able to analyse and summarise text within the Messages app. A similar intelligent search feature is reportedly in the works for Safari as well enabling users to summarise webpages.
Privacy remains a key focus for Apple’s AI initiatives. The company plans to implement privacy warnings before Ajax accesses information from Safari or Messages, ensuring user data remains protected, it is being reported.
During a recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook expressed confidence in Apple’s future AI roadmap reiterating to investors that the company had a strategic advantage over competing brands including a firm commitment to privacy, which will set its AI features apart. More details are awaited.
