Bloomberg’s Report on Apple’s Advancement in AI-Powered Code Completion Tool Development
By Emilia David
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Apple has intensified its efforts in developing an AI-driven code completion tool similar to Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot. The tech giant has broadened its internal testing of innovative generative AI functionalities intended for its Xcode programming software. These features are expected to be made available to external developers within the current year. Additionally, Apple has explored potential applications of generative AI in consumer-oriented products. This includes the possibility of automatic playlist generation in Apple Music, creation of slideshows in Keynote, and the integration of AI-powered chatbot-like search functionalities in Spotlight search.
The anticipated search enhancement could empower users of iOS and macOS devices to issue natural language requests akin to ChatGPT. This could facilitate tasks such as obtaining weather updates or navigating deep-seated features within applications.
While Apple has historically been less vocal than other tech giants in unveiling AI innovations, recent months have seen the company introduce various AI-related endeavors. These include the launch of an open-source machine learning framework named MLX, designed to facilitate AI model training on Apple silicon chips. Furthermore, Apple introduced a text-to-image editing AI model dubbed MGIE and an AI animator known as Keyframer.
Apple’s forthcoming programming tool, akin to Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot and Amazon’s CodeWhisperer, leverages a sophisticated language model to predict and complete code snippets, potentially assisting in code testing for applications.
Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, disclosed to analysts that GitHub Copilot had garnered 1 million paying users by November 2023. Since its inception, GitHub Copilot has been enhanced with additional functionalities, such as a real-time chat feature that guides developers and highlights potential code errors. Microsoft has hinted at unveiling more developments concerning Copilot and AI for developers at its Build 2024 event in May. Similarly, Apple might divulge further details regarding its AI initiatives at the annual WWDC event tailored for developers later this year.
Although Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has maintained a more cautious stance on generative AI compared to counterparts at Google and Microsoft, he recently confirmed during an investor call that more generative AI features are on the horizon for this year. Sources close to Bloomberg revealed that Apple’s executives showcased numerous AI features for Xcode to the company’s board towards the end of last year.
