The prevailing buzzword in the tech industry currently is “unnatural knowledge.” While competitors such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have aggressively integrated this cutting-edge technology into their products, Apple has taken a notably slower, and perhaps uncharacteristic, approach that has drawn criticism from many observers for falling behind its rivals. Despite Apple’s tendency to employ machine learning in more subtle ways that do not overtly emphasize “artificial intelligence,” the company is no stranger to leveraging this technology in its products. However, rumors suggest that Apple is actively working on incorporating advanced AI features into its upcoming technological advancements. There are undoubtedly other areas within iOS 18 and macOS 15 where AI could have an equally significant, if not greater, impact on users’ experiences. Siri is likely to be a focal point where Apple could benefit from integrating the kind of advanced technology showcased by its competitors.
Photography, as a medium, has long been subject to manipulation and careful curation. Whether in advertisements or on social media platforms like Instagram, images are frequently edited, retouched, or enhanced. Apple has emphasized the concept that digital images are more about preserving memories, evident in features like the Memories tab that curates photo collections and the upcoming Journal app. It aligns with Apple’s philosophy that visual representations should reflect the essence of a moment, enabling the use of advanced AI to enhance our recollections positively, such as correcting closed eyes in a picture, removing unwanted elements, or seamlessly combining multiple images to create a more captivating composite.
Advancing Note-Taking Capabilities
The Notes app has become an indispensable tool in my workflow, serving as a repository for ideas, snippets of information, and occasional records. Despite Apple’s efforts to enhance the app’s organization with features like tags, note-to-note links, and smart folders, locating specific information can still be a challenge. The integration of AI features in third-party note-taking services like Notion and Google’s NotebookLM demonstrates the potential for AI to assist users in comprehending and organizing their content more effectively. Imagine the convenience of being able to ask Notes to locate specific concepts or all references to a particular topic across your notes, potentially transforming the app into a personalized research assistant capable of retrieving additional resources from the web.
Leveraging AI in iWork
In addition to its native applications, Apple’s iWork suite, including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, presents opportunities for AI integration to enhance productivity. While these apps are highly regarded in their respective categories, the addition of an AI assistant could significantly streamline content creation and data analysis. For instance, in Numbers, users could simply request information like their total spending on streaming services over the past year without the need for complex formulas. Apple’s commitment to privacy and on-device processing further underscores the potential benefits of incorporating AI within its applications, offering users advanced capabilities while safeguarding their data.
About the Author: Dan Moren
Dan Moren, a seasoned technology journalist and author, has been covering Apple-related topics since 2006. As a former senior editor at Macworld, Dan’s expertise in the Apple ecosystem is evident in his diverse body of work, which includes podcasting and book authorship. His latest publication, “All Souls Lost,” showcases his literary prowess and deep understanding of the tech industry.
