Apple Intelligence: Every device receives AI support

The latest wave of artificial intelligence devices comes from Cupertino, where “AI” stands for Apple Intelligence. At WWDC, Apple revealed that its next major software updates, like iOS 18, will be its own take on the wave of features available on CoPilot+ desktops and Chromebook Plus laptops. These features will appear in various Apple products this fall.

It all starts with features like generating images from your contacts, email transcribing help, and the new Siri that can do everything for you. The big twist? Apple Intelligence features do most of the so-called thinking on-device (across all platforms), providing an incredibly more secure and private experience than switching between the cloud. Of course, if necessary, Apple will send your request to its private cloud servers. Apple is also making its AI more personalized, using data you already store in its apps to make Apple Intelligence work for you. ChatGPT OpenAI support will also be available on Apple devices, but you will always need to opt-in to this service.

However, to play in the Apple Intelligence waters, you will need a compatible device. The requirements for iPads and Macs are simple: they must run on one of the company’s M-series processors. And as for iPhones? Well, you will need a phone with an A17 Pro chip or newer, which is currently the latest model in the Pro series.

Tired of scrolling through notifications on your lock screen to find what’s really important? Apple Intelligence will keep the most up-to-date notifications at the top with Priority Notifications. The same functionality is coming to the Mail app on iOS 18, where we’re even busier with newsletters, promotions, and spam. Oh, and the new Apple Intelligence-powered Siri will accept questions and text prompts on your iPhone when you don’t want to talk out loud.

Creating and editing emails and other documents on iPad can become much easier with Apple Intelligence. If you’re struggling with your tone, the Friendly, Professional, and Concise tone options in the Rewrite tool may be your new best friend. There is also a new proofreading option that may help those who need an editor. Apple Intelligence’s audio transcription tool can make your iPad invaluable during meetings as well as when answering calls. The new Picture Wand tool in Apple Pencil will potentially allow you to enhance the sketch you make after circling it – and use the context of the words surrounding the drawing in your Notes document to inform what the image should look like.

M-series Macs running macOS Sequoia (available this fall) will also get Apple Intelligence technology, and the physical keyboards attached to these MacBooks and Macs make them perfect for using Siri’s new text input option. You’ll also be able to generate your own images, including Apple’s Genmoji, which are new, custom images you create when a long sheet of emojis lacks an option. There is also a Rewrite feature that allows you to edit and proofread text using Apple Intelligence.

Like many of the generative AI tools we’ve seen recently, Apple Intelligence definitely falls into the “wait and see” category of computational tricks. While those who already have their favorite AI tool will be excited to see the company jump on board to catch up with Windows and Google, skeptics (I count myself among them) may not feel the need to upgrade.

However, support for all of Apple’s current Mac computers, as well as faster iPads and the top-of-the-range iPhone, means that recent purchasers won’t have to do so again to experience Apple’s approach to this new world of technology.