Apple unveils new artificial intelligence feature for iPhone, iPad, Mac

Initially drafted by AI (not Apple Intelligence, gosh!) (ChatGPT-4o)
Fact-checked (& fact-corrected) and edited by a human
(ChatGPT-4o had cooked up a relevant-sounding quote and attributed that to Tim Cook. It had also fabricated a quote for Craig Federighi)
AI-assisted content writing website operations – beta phase

Apple Inc. has announced a groundbreaking new feature called “Apple Intelligence” designed to enhance the functionality of iPhone, iPad and Mac devices running iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, respectively. This innovative technology, introduced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 keynote presentation streamed a few hours ago, leverages advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence to deliver a more intuitive and personalized user experience.

Enhanced Personalization and Efficiency

Apple Intelligence is poised to revolutionize how users interact with their devices by offering deeply integrated AI capabilities that anticipate user needs. According to Apple, this new feature will analyze user behavior to provide personalized recommendations, automate routine tasks and enhance overall device performance.

CEO Tim Cook said, “We’re thrilled to introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation. Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products — and what our products can do for our users.”

He added, “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. This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”

Key Features of Apple Intelligence

1. Contextual Recommendations: Apple Intelligence will provide context-aware suggestions, such as recommending apps, contacts and actions based on the user’s daily routines and habits.
2. Deep Understanding of Language: Brand-new systemwide Writing Tools enable users to rewrite, proofread and summarize text anywhere they write, including Pages, Mail, Notes and third-party apps to enhance their writing and help them communicate more effectively.
   • With Priority Messages in Mail, users can see the most urgent emails, like a same-day boarding pass or birthday party invitaiton, in a new section at the top of the inbox. Moreover, email previews will now show summaries, instead of the first few lines, of the emails. For long threads, a tap is all that is required to see relevant details. Smart Reply, which provides suggestions for what to write in a quick response, will also identify any questions asked in the email sent to you so that nothing is left unaddressed in your reply.
   • With Priority Notifications, users can see what is most important at the top of the stack, with summaries assisting users in scanning long or stacked notifications right on the Lock Screen. Additionally, to help users stay focused on whatever they are doing, a new Focus called Reduce Interruptions “surfaces only the notifications that might need immediate attention, like a text about an early pickup from daycare.”
   • The Notes and Phone apps now allow for recording, transcribing and summarizing audio. Upon the initiation of recording “while on a call, participants are automatically notified, and once the call ends, Apple Intelligence generates a summary to help recall key points.”
3. Enhanced Privacy: Apple emphasizes that Apple Intelligence is built with user privacy in mind. Data processing is performed via Private Cloud Compute, which delivers “the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers.” This means that while many of the models that power Apple Intelligence run entirely on device, Private Cloud Compute extends Apple devices’ security and privacy into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence when users make more complex requests requiring more processing power.
4. ChatGPT Integration: ChatGPT-4o access is being integrated into experiences within and will come later this year to iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. Siri will be able to tap into the expertise of ChatGPT when helpful after asking users for permission before any questions, documents or photos are sent. The chatbot will also be available in Writing Tools, with Compose enabling access to ChatGPT image tools. Apple says that users’ IP addresses will be obscured, with OpenAI not storing requests.

Availability

Apple Intelligence will be rolled out as part of the upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15, scheduled for release this fall. Beta versions are available to developers from today.

With the introduction of Apple Intelligence, Apple continues to lead in integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into consumer electronics, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in the tech industry. This new feature is set to enhance the user experience by making devices smarter, more intuitive and more personalized than ever before.

Watch the full Apple WWDC 2024 keynote presentation below

Photo via Apple Newsroom