Apple has announced a significant upgrade to its Siri voice assistant by integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT, aiming to enhance user experience on iPhones and other devices. This development was revealed at Apple’s annual developers’ conference in Cupertino, California, where CEO Tim Cook stated that this move would elevate Apple’s products significantly.
This AI integration is part of a new system called “Apple Intelligence,” designed to simplify user interactions with Apple devices. The updates will be available on both iPhone and Mac operating systems, allowing users to access ChatGPT. The test version of this integration is expected to be released in the autumn.
Despite this major announcement, Apple’s share price dipped by 1.91% on the same day. Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and Twitter/X, voiced strong objections, citing concerns over data security. He claimed that Apple doesn’t fully understand the implications of handing over user data to OpenAI and accused the company of compromising user privacy. Apple has yet to respond to these accusations.
Apple has been under pressure to incorporate more AI features into its products, especially following the success of its competitors. Apple, previously the world’s most valuable company, was recently surpassed by Microsoft and Nvidia. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, noted that while Apple’s new AI system might reassure investors, it could also highlight Siri’s limitations, as it depends on ChatGPT when Siri falls short.
“Apple Intelligence” is not a standalone product or app but will be integrated into all Apple devices and apps. For example, it can help refine message drafts or provide the best route for appointments. This system is similar to Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, but unlike Copilot, users won’t need to pay extra to use it.
Apple has revamped Siri with a new interface and a more conversational style to help users navigate their devices more easily. Emphasizing security, Apple assured that some processing would be done on the device itself, while more demanding tasks would be handled in the cloud, without storing any data there. Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, stated that this system puts powerful AI models at the core of Apple devices while protecting user privacy.
The integration of ChatGPT marks a departure for Apple, which typically keeps its products closely guarded. This move indicates a recognition of the current dominance of OpenAI in the AI field. However, Apple did not specify other future integrations, although it hinted at more to come.
In addition to the AI updates, Apple announced several new features, including the ability to send texts via satellite, schedule messages to send later, and control AirPods Pro using head gestures. They also introduced a dedicated app for managing passwords across devices and added the ability to hide or lock apps using Face ID or passcodes.
Apple also announced that its mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro, will be available in the UK starting July 12, following its US release in February.
This information was obtained from an article by Zoe Kleinman, Technology Editor, and Liv McMahon, Technology Reporter, published by the BBC on June 11, 2024 . You can check out the full article here.
Hi, I'm Voss Xolani, and I'm passionate about all things AI. With many years of experience in the tech industry, I specialize in explaining the functionality and benefits of AI-powered software for both businesses and individual users. My content explores the latest AI tools, offering practical insights on how they can streamline workflows, boost productivity, and drive innovation. I also review new software solutions to help readers understand their features and applications. Beyond that, I stay up-to-date with AI trends and experiment with emerging technologies to provide the most relevant information.