Apple has reportedly been quietly undertaking a series of acquisitions and staff recruitment in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with the aim of integrating on-device AI into its upcoming iPhones, as per a recent report by the Financial Times.
The report indicates that Apple’s focus has been on addressing the challenge of implementing AI on mobile devices. The company has acquired multiple AI startups, including WaveOne based in California, known for its AI-driven video compression technology.
According to insights from Morgan Stanley, nearly half of Apple’s AI job listings have highlighted “Deep learning,” a key aspect related to the algorithms supporting generative AI.
While there have been previous mentions of Apple testing its “Ajax” large language model (LLM) since early 2023, Apple’s approach differs from models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Apple’s primary objective is to develop generative AI that functions locally on devices rather than relying on cloud services.
Achieving this goal involves optimizing the LLM’s performance while reducing its size and leveraging high-performance mobile hardware and faster Apple silicon chips. For instance, Apple is reportedly planning a significant upgrade to the iPhone 16 microphone to enhance the AI-driven Siri experience.
Recently, Apple AI researchers revealed a breakthrough in deploying large language models on devices with limited memory by introducing an innovative flash memory utilization technique.
Apple is expected to unveil a range of generative AI tools at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, coinciding with the preview of iOS 18. Analysts anticipate that the mobile software will facilitate generative AI and potentially involve integrating an LLM to power Siri.
Furthermore, Apple is set to launch new iPad Air, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air models in the spring, likely in March or April, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Following these releases, the focus will shift to Apple’s WWDC event in June, where rumored features and expectations will be revealed.
In related news, Apple has rolled out watchOS 10.3, the latest update to the watchOS 10 system, offering a new watch face. Additionally, iPhone 7 users in the U.S. could receive compensation of up to $349 from Apple due to audio issues. Apple has also introduced tvOS 17.3, the third major update to the tvOS 17 operating system, and announced the permanent closure of two Apple Stores in the U.S., namely Infinite Loop and Royal Hawaiian.
Moreover, a glimpse of the packaging for Apple’s Vision Pro headset reveals a large box designed in the company’s distinct style, featuring a top-sliding opening mechanism.
