Apple has finally rolled out updates for iPhone on Wednesday 11th December 2024, iPad, and Mac software, featuring the highly anticipated ChatGPT integration with Siri.
The integration is activated when Siri is posed with complex questions. If a question is deemed more suitable for ChatGPT by Apple’s software, Siri will request user consent to utilise the OpenAI service. Apple has incorporated privacy safeguards into this feature, ensuring that OpenAI does not retain any requests. This integration employs the GPT-4o model from OpenAI.
No OpenAI account is necessary for Apple users to engage with the ChatGPT feature, although Apple offers paid upgrades for ChatGPT. Additionally, ChatGPT can be accessed via certain text menus.
The launch of iOS 18.2 marks a pivotal point for Apple, which is banking on Apple Intelligence to spearhead the marketing for its iPhone 16 series. Apple Intelligence encompasses a range of artificial intelligence capabilities. The ChatGPT integration was initially revealed in June 2024.
The inaugural segment of Apple Intelligence was introduced in October 2024, including text editing tools capable of proofreading or rephrasing, a revamped Siri interface that illuminates the entire phone screen, and a summary of notifications.
Next year, Apple plans to introduce a further update to Apple Intelligence, promising substantial enhancements to Siri that will enable it to perform tasks within apps.
Many investors are of the opinion that the addition of features to Apple Intelligence will enhance iPhone sales, initiate an upgrade cycle, and possibly establish Apple as a frontrunner in consumer AI.
This integration marks a significant triumph for OpenAI by showcasing its flagship product to millions of iPhone users. The financial details of the partnership between Apple and OpenAI remain undisclosed.
To install and utilise Apple Intelligence, users must have an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, or any iPhone 16 model, despite the fact that ChatGPT integration mainly operates on cloud servers – iPhone owners can enable software updates in the General tab of the Settings app.
Upon updating to the newest Apple software, users will be prompted to configure Apple Intelligence. Their devices will have to download substantial files, including Apple’s AI models, which are necessary for the service’s functionality.
The updates also bring Apple’s image creation app, named Playground, which generates images from people’s descriptions or prompts, and Image Wand, a tool that lets users edit out objects or imperfections from photos.
Apple finally issue a version of AI – not just any AI but Apple Intelligence, whatever that really means.