Apple’s plans regarding artificial intelligence (AI) may be unveiled sooner than anticipated, with CEO Tim Cook hinting at a potential reveal of the company’s AI developments ahead of schedule. Initially speculated to be showcased during the Worldwide Developers Conference slated for June 10, insights into generative AI could be shared with users sooner than expected, as per reports. The upcoming Let Loose event scheduled for May 7 leaves a slight possibility for Apple to provide hints regarding the forthcoming features set to debut later in the year.
During the company’s quarterly earnings call, Cook reportedly disclosed these intentions. Despite a reported 4 percent year-on-year revenue decline, bringing it to $90.8 billion, Cook expressed optimism about Apple’s prospects in generative AI, emphasizing significant investments and the anticipation of unveiling exciting developments to customers imminently.
This announcement underscores Apple’s commitment to capitalizing on the AI trend. Cook underscored the company’s innovation in processors and neural engines, asserting a strategic advantage over competitors in integrating AI technology into its devices. Furthermore, he hinted at an enduring commitment to privacy, suggesting that AI features are likely to be powered on-device.
In recent months, Apple’s AI aspirations have garnered significant attention. The tech giant has acquired two AI-focused companies, Darwin AI and Datakalab. Additionally, its researchers have published numerous papers on AI models, encompassing computer vision, on-device operations, and multimodal capabilities.
Previous reports have hinted at potential AI-powered features slated for release later this year. Notably, the Safari browser may play a pivotal role, with rumors circulating about an ‘Intelligent Search’ feature capable of summarizing articles and web pages. Another speculated feature is an AI-powered web eraser, designed to eliminate banner ads and other elements on web pages based on user preferences. These features are anticipated to be unveiled at WWDC 24, coinciding with the launch of iOS 18 and macOS 15.
