Though Apple is predicted to have loads to say about its AI plans at this 12 months’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC), it seems that these plans don’t embody the generative AI chatbot that we’ve been listening to about over the previous 12 months.
In July, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed that Apple was testing an AI chat tool with a restricted variety of inner workers, sparking hypothesis that Apple would possibly launch an “AppleGPT” bot to compete with others like ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing, and Google’s Gemini (previously Bard).
As the idea went, Apple wanted to do one thing to catch as much as its rivals, and constructing its personal AI chatbot appeared like the way in which to go since everybody appears to assume these are the following huge factor proper now. In the meantime, in public feedback, Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner repeatedly told investors that AI and machine studying are already “core elementary applied sciences integral to just about each product that we construct,” reasonably than the standalone merchandise that Apple’s rivals are making them out to be.
So, maybe it’s not a shock that Apple isn’t growing its personal chatbot. For one factor, the corporate has seemingly determined it doesn’t have the chops for it proper now; a report final week suggested it might make a deal to use Google’s Gemini instead, however even that report hinted that Apple needed to license the general Gemini AI mannequin, very similar to Samsung has achieved for its Galaxy AI options, reasonably than merely incorporating Google’s chatbot into iOS 18.
In the meantime, Apple’s inner GPT-like chat software is reportedly being used to help AppleCare specialists resolve customer support issues, however there’s no indication that Apple plans to take it past that.
As a substitute, Gurman has confirmed that though Apple is planning some huge new AI options, a generative AI chatbot isn’t one in all them.
Apple’s synthetic intelligence technique will embody a slew of recent proactive options to help customers of their every day lives. The corporate isn’t planning to debut its personal generative AI chatbot, although. As a substitute, Apple is holding talks with potential companions like Alphabet Inc.’s Google and OpenAI to provide generative AI providers.
Mark Gurman
That doesn’t imply that iOS 18 gained’t be a giant deal. In practically the identical breath, Gurman says it’s “anticipated to be probably the most bold overhaul of the iPhone’s software program in its historical past,” at the very least from what his sources have advised him. He doesn’t element precisely what’s going to make it huge, however along with the AI options, we’ve heard about a significantly more customizable Home Screen experience and probably even an total redesign to reflect the Imaginative and prescient Professional UI. We’d counsel taking that final one with a wholesome dose of sodium, as we’ve but to listen to it from different, extra usually dependable sources.
Additional, Apple is pouring big bucks into generative AI, with experiences suggesting it plans to drop billions on AI servers and spend $50 million to license news sources to train its AI models. All of this means Apple is difficult at work on one thing, even when it’s not a whole AI chatbot.
For one factor, Apple will not be able to do what Google and OpenAI can do at the moment, however that doesn’t imply it isn’t making an attempt to get there ultimately. Extra considerably, even amid Apple’s discussions with Google over utilizing Gemini, there are some elements of iOS that it needs to maintain underneath its personal management for the sake of privateness and safety. These are nonetheless anticipated to be powered by Apple’s “homegrown” AI fashions.
Chief amongst these would undoubtedly be Siri, the place Apple has already been burned by outsourcing aspects of the technology to third-party contractors. Everyone knows there’s numerous room for enchancment right here — and Apple knows it too — so it will be absurd to make a giant push into AI with out letting Siri paved the way.
Some leaks have suggested that Siri will be a focal point for Apple AI, and we’ve even heard rumors that the iPhone 16 will get better mics for Siri’s new AI powers. Nevertheless, the sources which have shared these tidbits will be hit-and-miss, and the standard sources have been fairly quiet on that entrance. This means that whereas Apple will undoubtedly have some huge AI surprises for us at WWDC24, it’s exhausting to know precisely what to anticipate these to be at this level.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]