Apple is dipping its toes into the AI world with the launch of the iPhone 16, announcing a host of new AI features for the smartphone, including the integration of ChatGPT.
The tech giant, which unveiled the iPhone 16 for the first time yesterday as part of its 2024 Apple Event, said that the smartphone will be the first-ever model “purpose-built for gen AI,” enabling users to generate text and images using a natural-language prompt.
These features won’t come with the iPhone when it lands in stores on September 20 but instead are set to be tested in October with a software update.
The iPhone 15s or last year’s iPhone 15 Pro will also be getting the new AI features, but older models will be too slow to handle those tasks.
This will be powered by Apple Intelligence, which brings AI services and automates tasks such as generating images, rewriting emails, and summarizing web articles.
ChatGPT comes to iPhone
Along with the new AI features, Apple has also announced the new AI-boosted software update for iOS 18, which will allow users to completely customize their home screens and control center, lock and hide applications, and access overhauled Photos application.
ChatGPT, Open AI’s chatbot and virtual assistant will also be made available on Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, all set to be released in beta this fall.
The large language model (LLM) will be integrated into Apple’s systemwide writing tools, which will incorporate Compose – a tool enabling users to generate images to complement their writing.
Apple will be merging ChatGPT technology with Apple’s Siri voice assistant, with CEO Tim Cook executives promising a more “natural” mode of interaction.
The Apple CEO said that the upgrades would "push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do.” However, the competition is fierce with other companies already having entered the AI race and integrating smart intelligence features into their handsets.
Apple has previously held off on rolling out AI unlike most other giants like Microsoft but the company’s announcements this year are promising a more secure way to optimize AI while prioritizing user security above all.
‘Tip of the iceberg’
Apple is just one of many smartphone manufacturers implementing AI into their devices. Model families like the Samsung Galaxy S24 have had a range of AI-powered features in their handsets for months now and Google Pixel is full of AI integrations powered by Gemini,
Apple, Samsung, and Google are far from being the only tech behemoths to integrate AI more deeply into their products. But as the world's two largest tech companies, they hold a lot of influence over how the technology will manifest in the mobile devices we use every day.
Without actually trying Apple Intelligence, it's impossible to know how well it works and what it contributes to the iOS experience.
Gregory Hanson, Informatica’s Vice President told EM360Tech that Gen AI has arrived on mobiles, “but it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what’s possible.”
“Like previous tech advancements, this announcement is about laying the foundations,” said Hanson. “A ‘smarter Siri’ is just the start, but the real AI kicker is when we see other advanced AI capabilities.”
However, Hanson says everyone is ready for Gen AI, except the underlying data. “Laying the mobile infrastructure is just part of the story, the data layer also needs to transition. For example, a lot of the underlying data that feeds large language models is not ready for AI,” he told EM360Tech.
He explains that the focus is slowly shifting to how data chaos can be turned into something high-quality, well-structured, and well governed, so it can successfully power data-hungry AI models.
Alluding to the timeline of AI integration, Hanson told EM360Tech that while Apple Intelligence will likely help redefine how consumers interact with information, but patience is required.
“It could take another 12-18 months for AI applications to be fully rolled out. And it will need to be done in a phased approach to ensure users can easily navigate AI systems that deliver transparency, interpretability, and ‘explainability’ as part of the user experience,” he said.
Apple says that iPhone users will be able to update the new iOS 18 software on Monday, September 16, 2024.
The new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are launching in five bold colors – black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine with pre-orders beginning on Friday, September 13, and availability beginning Friday, September 2, 2024.
