Apple seems to have planned some major AI upgrades for Siri in iOS 18. The updates for the virtual assistant would allow it to have advanced functionality and deeply entrenched controllability of apps and services.
Apple goes big with AI upgrade for Siri in iOS 18
Apple’s upcoming next-gen operating system, iOS 18, will be heavily influenced by Project Greymatter, a codename for the company’s AI initiatives. The iPhone maker has been a little late when it comes to AI. However, with iOS 18, Apple may take a huge leap forward in integrating Generative AI (Gen AI) with iOS apps, functions, and services.
Although Apple hasn’t officially made any announcements, Mark Gurman, over at Bloomberg, has indicated the company is focusing on the “practical benefits [of Gen AI] for the end user.”
Although Apple is undoubtedly betting big on AI, the company would lay a lot of emphasis on Siri. When infused with the power of Gen AI, Siri would reportedly generate smart, intuitive, and data-driven summaries.
iOS 18 “Preview” is here, and Apple’s AI game is heating up! New emojis, music app updates, and more—sounds like Siri’s getting a much-needed brain boost. Apple iOS18 AI pic.twitter.com/Km2LjDIFao
— Kelya (@keylasmth) May 29, 2024
Specifically speaking, Siri would be able to summarize notifications that would factor in and weigh in inputs from people, companies, calendar events, locations, dates, and more. Apple may allow AI to analyze what people are doing on their devices and automatically enable relevant Siri features.
It appears Apple engineers have had to completely redefine Siri’s backend to work well with Large Language Models or LLMs. It is not immediately clear if Apple was able to carve out an agreement with OpenAI to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology into iOS 18.
Apple’s iOS 18 ‘Preview’: Gurman Teases New Emojis, Music App Tweaks, and AI Advances#apple #WWDC #ai #artificialintelligence #openai #google #geminimodel #markgurman #analyst #innovations #iOS18 #google #samsung #ai #aifeatures #siri #notes #messages #emojis #bizzbuzz pic.twitter.com/eBZgWBwSh0
— Bizz Buzz (@BizzBuzzNews) May 28, 2024
Some reports suggest Apple may stick with its in-house LLM for Siri. This would allow Siri to go deep inside Apple apps and draw relevant as well as actionable information. Needless to say, this is almost impossible for third-party apps, services, and LLMs.
When will iPhone users get the new AI-enhanced Siri?
Apple WWDC 2024 is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024, which is just ten days away. The iPhone maker is expected to announce the new Siri at this event. Apple may also announce the stable version of iOS 18 at the event, but the update could start rolling out in September.
Hopefully w/ #ios18 I can ask Siri to show me all the rewards/offers across all my food apps so I can see where I can get the most free food. #BigBack pic.twitter.com/wIvhP2P4gs
— COWBOY CUNTY 𐚁 ★ (@ohbrien69) May 28, 2024
Some of the AI and Siri features expected to be included in iOS 18 are as follows. Smart Replies will let users reply to messages and emails with generative text. Enhanced Voices will add more natural voices for Siri. Finally, Cross-Device Media Controls will use Siri on one device to control playback on another.
If the latest rumors are accurate, Apple will not include these features in the initial rollout of the iOS 18 update. Some reports claim Apple may hold a special event to announce the AI-enhanced Siri. This event, or the actual rollout of the new Siri, could take place sometime in 2025.
2024-05-31 15:06:50