WWDC 2024: iPhone Boosted with Generative AI and More in iOS 18

Since the release of ChatGPT, OpenAI's phenomenally successful AI chatbot, in November 2022, technology companies have hurried to incorporate artificial intelligence tools into their hardware and software offerings. Microsoft, which also supports OpenAI, moved early last year to build its generative AI chatbot, Bing Chat (now renamed Copilot), and incorporate the new technology into its many products and services. Google, too, raced Bard through the gates and has since introduced a slew of AI features to its products following a rocky start. Samsung is also preparing to debut its next generation of premium Galaxy S series smartphones with AI technologies later this month. On the other hand, Apple has fallen significantly behind its competitors in the AI race, even though it is still developing its generative AI products. The corporation is intending to announce its Worldwide Developers Conference later this year.

Apple's generative AI initiative will be integrated into iOS 18

Mark Gurman stated in his Bloomberg Power On email on Monday that Apple's generative AI initiative will be integrated into iOS 18. The iPhone maker is developing its large language model (LLM), known internally as Ajax, and is expected to unveil its AI products at WWDC in June, according to the publication. Gurman stated that Apple has been testing its AI model since early 2023.

AI-ready Pixel 8 series of phones, Galaxy AI and AI services for the iPhone

While Google has already delivered its AI-ready Pixel 8 series of phones, and Samsung is slated to bring Galaxy AI to its following devices, bringing a slew of on-device AI-powered capabilities, Apple is preparing AI services for the iPhone to catch up with its competitors. Gurman's email identified some of the most likely upcoming products. "Apple is eyeing adding features like auto-summarising and auto-complete to its core apps and productivity software such as Pages and Keynote," according to the report.

Apple's on-device assistant, Siri, is also ready for an AI update

In addition, the Cupertino, California-based corporation intends to incorporate artificial intelligence into Apple Music to improve playlists and recommendations. According to the newsletter, Apple's on-device assistant, Siri, is also ready for an AI update as intelligent chatbots such as ChatGPT and Copilot gain traction in the market. While the business plans to launch its AI solutions later this year, Gurman stated that it will only be able to scale its generative AI vision at least next year completely.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also stated in December that the future iPhone 16 models would include an improved microphone to improve the Siri experience and voice input. According to Kuo, the Siri team at Apple has been working on LLMs and other AI technologies since the third quarter of 2023.

Last month, it was claimed that Apple is in talks with publishers to train its generative AI systems on news articles. The startup reportedly pitched multiyear deals worth at least $50 million (approximately Rs. 420 crores) to license news item archives from publications including Condé Nast, the New Yorker, and NBC News.