- At WWDC 2024, Tim Cook unveiled Apple's generative AI strategy, called Apple Intelligence.
- This strategy includes new AI features in upcoming iOS 18, Mac and iPad updates.
- Key features include a smarter Siri and priority notifications.
At the Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this week, Tim Cook unveiled a generative AI strategy that the company is calling “Apple Intelligence.”
At its biggest conference ever, Apple announced its upcoming software update, iOS 18, along with a suite of impressive AI features coming to its latest Mac and iPad operating systems.
Apple also formalized a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its software, allowing users to search for queries that a revamped Siri can't.
The following is a summary of what was announced:
Siri is getting smarter
Apple's digital assistant, Siri, is about to become even more useful: You can now type in your commands instead of just talk to her, and she'll be able to carry out tasks within other apps for you, like sending a photo you're looking at to a friend.
Summarize and proofread your email
You'll get a summary of your emails through your email and be able to peek at the first few lines of an email without having to open it.
Apple said Mail will also add a “Smart Replies” feature that will offer suggested auto-replies.
It also helps to vary the tone of what you’re writing through prompts.
Say goodbye to annoying notifications
You will now be able to get an overview of your notifications, which are organized by priority order of the most important ones.
The feature also has “reduced interruptions,” which Apple says “helps users stay focused on what they're focusing on.” Apple says the feature will only sound notifications for things that are deemed urgent, citing a text message about an early daycare pick-up as one example.
Record and transcribe audio files in the Notes app
It also summarises the recorded audio files in the notes and phone apps, which is very useful for work meetings.
Search for photos and videos by keyword
Searching by keyword makes it even easier to find the specific photo or video you're looking for, and if there's a person you want to remove from a photo, you can use the Clean Up tool to remove them or any unwanted objects.
Create AI images while chatting with friends
Apple is introducing “Image Playground” to its Messages app, which will allow users to create animations, sketches, and illustrations.
Users can also create animated versions of themselves, called “Genmoji,” to use in messages. These are a bit like Bitmoji and can be customized to resemble you or your friends and used to express different emotions while texting.
