• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, October 28, 2024

Apple Intelligence -- a personal intelligence system using generative AI -- launched Monday for iPhones, iPads, and Macs through a free software update with the release of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.

Only select Apple devices can run the new generative AI offering. 

The technology has been designed to protect user privacy, the company said. Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing, meaning that many of the models powering it run on device and are not transferred to the cloud.

For requests requiring more processing power that the device can handle, Private Cloud Compute extends privacy and security of Apple devices into the cloud. When using Private Cloud Compute, user data is never stored or shared with Apple. The company said it is used only to fulfill their request.

Users have the choice whether or not to enable the ChatGPT integration, which the company announced earlier this year.

ChatGPT is available in Siri, Writing Tools, or visual intelligence with Camera Control. Access is free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, wrote in a post that the technology build on years of innovation in AI and machine learning to put the generative models at the core of its devices, saying the company's "incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users’ lives.”

The feature uses Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate daily tasks while taking steps forward for privacy.

Today marks the availability of the first set of features, with many more rolling out in the coming months.

The AI tool has been available for the past few months to developers and public beta for those working with Apple’s operating systems. Today is the first time it has become available in a public OS release. The features also is supposed to support “a more natural and capable Siri."

There are more features to come like new ways for users to express themselves visually. Emoji step up to a new era with the ability to create original Genmoji by typing a description.

They can be personalized using a photo of a friend or family member. Image Playground will allow users to create playful images in moments. Image Wand will make notes more visually engaging by turning rough sketches into delightful images.

When a user circles an empty space, Image Wand will create an image using context from the surrounding area, the company said in a post.