The iPhone could get a big dose of artificial intelligence this year. Here’s what you can expect

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have played an important role in the iPhone for years, powering features like Portrait mode for the camera and the ability to copy and paste text from photos. But at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, we expect to find out how Apple could take it to the next level by potentially bringing generative artificial intelligence to the iPhone.

Generative AI, or AI models trained on large amounts of data that generate content in response to queries, exploded in popularity after the success of ChatGPT. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and Amazon, among many others, have introduced generative artificial intelligence into their biggest products over the past year. Apple, however, has been tight-lipped about its plans for generative artificial intelligence, although CEO Tim Cook has teased updates for 2024.

“But we have some things that we’re incredibly excited about that we’ll be talking about later this year,” Cook said in response to a question about generative artificial intelligence on the company’s latest conference call.

Between Cook’s comments, new research papers and the acquisition of an AI startup, Apple is clearly on to something. Here’s what Apple’s AI plans for the iPhone might look like based on reports that have been circulating in recent months.

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iOS 18 is likely to be full of AI features

Apple’s next big iPhone operating system, likely to be called iOS 18, is expected to introduce a bunch of new AI features to the iPhone. It could be the most significant update since the original iPhone in Apple’s eyes, according to Bloomberg.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, has been tasked with implementing a bunch of new tools into iOS powered by the company’s big language model, Bloomberg reports. It’s unclear exactly what this means for iOS 18, but the report says we could see improvements to the Messages app and Siri. What we won’t see is Apple’s alternative to ChatGPT, Bloomberg also reports.

Samsung and Google have already given a glimpse of how generative artificial intelligence is changing smartphones. Both companies offer features that can transcribe text messages in a different tone before hitting the send button and photo-editing tools that can fill in blank spaces in a photo again after moving an object. It’s possible that Apple could take a similar approach, though we won’t know for sure until iOS 18 arrives.

Google may be launching some new AI features

Apple is reportedly in talks with Google and OpenAI to use their AI models to power certain upcoming iPhone features, according to reports from Bloomberg, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Those models would likely be used for AI features that must be processed in the cloud, Bloomberg reports. Apple reportedly plans to use its own models for future software tools that can be processed on the device without the need for a cloud connection.

On-device AI is generally considered more secure and private because the data doesn’t need to leave your device, but it usually requires more powerful processors. That’s why Siri is only able to answer health-related questions on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which run on the company’s latest smartwatch chips.

Based on the report, it sounds like Apple is focusing its efforts on new AI models designed to run locally, while looking for a cloud-based AI partner. That wouldn’t be too much of a surprise; Apple prides itself on creating new features and technologies that take full advantage of hardware and software working together. This is much easier to do when you don’t have to rely on a third party to process the data.

It also wouldn’t be the first time Apple partnered with another company on certain technologies and components. Google already pays Apple billions of dollars to be the default search engine on iPhones, for example, and Qualcomm supplies Apple with 5G modems for iPhones.

Read more: Dreaming Big: Our experts’ iOS 18 wishlist for Apple’s WWDC 2024.

A smarter Siri

Siri seems like a natural area for Apple to apply any AI advancements, and reports from The Information and Bloomberg suggest that it could do just that. The Information reported last year that Apple was doubling down on efforts to make Siri better at automating tasks. The report cites the ability to ask Siri to create GIFs from your last five photos and then share them as an example of the types of use cases Apple has in mind.

We won’t know what Apple’s plans are until they announce them. But automation features like the ones mentioned above would seem like a fitting evolution for Siri that builds on existing shortcut functionality.

AI App Store

Apple may launch a new AI App Store, according to Ben Reitzes, head of technology research at Melius Research, who spoke to CNBC.

“In June, we should start to see how they’re laying the groundwork for this new app store, how it’s going to work with artificial intelligence, how you can buy AI apps through the App Store,” he said during an interview with CNBC.

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There are many unanswered questions, such as whether this alleged AI app store will be for the iPhone, Mac, or all Apple products. It’s also unclear whether Reitzes is referring to a completely separate App Store or a new section in the current App Store focused on AI apps. The latter seems more in line with Apple’s usual approach. In any case, highlighting AI in the App Store would be a testament to the importance of the technology from Apple’s perspective.

A new chip with more artificial intelligence processing power

Apple’s next iPhone processor, likely called the A18, is expected to offer better AI performance for the iPhone 16 lineup, according to Taiwan’s Economic Daily News and analyst Jeff Pu, as reported by MacRumors. AI has been a big area of ​​focus for years, with Apple increasingly expanding the capabilities of the neural engine within its A-series chips. But with Apple expected to develop new AI-powered iPhone features that rely on local processing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more significant upgrades.

Apple is usually not first to market with new product categories. Instead, he is known for popularizing technologies, as he has done with smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets. Regardless of Apple’s approach, all eyes will be on the company to do the same with artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence.

Editor’s note: CNET uses an AI engine to generate some stories. See for more this post.