Apple revealed its highly anticipated AI strategy at its annual developer conference, introducing “Apple Intelligence” technology across its suite of apps, including Siri, and integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its devices.
The two-hour presentation, led by CEO Tim Cook and other executives, showcased Siri’s enhanced capabilities to write emails, interact with messages, emails, and calendars, and control third-party apps. Apple highlighted user privacy as a key differentiator from rivals Microsoft and Google.
Despite the new features, Wall Street’s response was tepid, with Apple shares closing down nearly 2 per cent.
The new AI features will be integrated into the latest operating systems for Apple devices, utilising a combination of on-device processing and cloud computing to enhance privacy. This approach means the new features will only be available on the latest iPhones, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro, and future models. Apple’s privacy-centric approach involves using in-house chips with built-in security features, potentially reducing reliance on Nvidia's expensive chips.
The announcement also included updates to the mixed-reality headset Vision Pro, which will now be available in additional countries, including China and Japan. VisionOS 2, the new software for the headset, will leverage machine learning for natural depth photos and new gesture controls. Additionally, Apple's new iOS 18 will make the iPhone home screen more customisable and include a "lock an app" feature for better data protection.
However, the integration of ChatGPT has raised privacy concerns, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk threatening to ban Apple devices at his companies if the technology is integrated at the OS level. Apple assured that user information would not be logged and plans to release a detailed paper on its privacy measures.