Apple Releases AI Software for Smarter Siri on iPhone 16

Apple is accelerating the rollout of a software update that will equip its virtual assistant Siri with artificial intelligence and automate a number of tedious tasks, with the update set to coincide with the launch of the latest iPhone model.

A free update introducing the first set of features in Apple’s artificial intelligence suite went live on Thursday — about two weeks ahead of the October launch that Apple teased earlier this month when it unveiled the iPhone 16.

Apple has not given a reason why its AI software will be released ahead of schedule, but the technology will be a highlight of the four iPhone 16 models that will hit stores on Friday.

All iPhone 16 models, which start at $800 to $1,200, feature a special processor required for the new technology, which the company is touting as “Apple Intelligence.” The branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s AI from similar technology already available in smartphones released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.

The AI ​​technology is currently only available in English in the U.S., but will expand to local English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December. Apple plans to expand it to other languages ​​and countries next year.

With the iOS 18.1 update, the often clumsy Siri is set to become more conversational, versatile, and colorful, with a glowing light that will rotate around your iPhone’s screen to respond to requests. While Apple promises Siri will be able to perform more tasks and be less prone to confusion, it won’t be able to interact with other apps installed on your iPhone until another software update arrives at an as-yet-undetermined date.

Other AI features in the software update will handle a variety of writing and proofreading tasks, summarize the contents of emails and other documents. The AI ​​will also provide a variety of editing tools to change the look of photos and make it easier to find old photos.

The update, however, doesn’t include other AI tricks that are yet to come, like the ability to create custom emojis on the fly or conjure up other fancy images on demand. Apple also plans to eventually allow its AI suite to receive assistance from OpenAI’s ChatGPT when users want it.

In addition to the new iPhone model, Apple’s AI features will also work on two premium versions of the iPhone 15 once you install a software update to the recently released iOS 18. That’s because both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have been equipped with the computer chip needed to power the new AI. The update will also enable surround video recording on the two iPhone 15 models, which can be viewed on Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro headset.

But the AI ​​won’t work on hundreds of millions of other iPhones, and investors are betting that this flaw will have a positive impact on recently declining sales of Apple’s ubiquitous device.

That anticipation is a key reason Apple’s stock price has surged more than 15% since the company unveiled its AI strategy in June, creating $500 billion in shareholder wealth. Some analysts believe demand for new iPhones could push Apple’s market value above $4 trillion for the first time in the next year.