WWDC 2024: Apple’s New AI Enhancements & Siri Gets Upgraded

Today was the start of the annual WWDC 2024 (Worldwide Developers Conference), a trade show designed for Apple to showcase their new tech, and they brought heaps of AI and how it integrates with their existing operating systems.

Firstly, Apple appears to have taken off the gloves when it comes to AI and is now referring to their integration as ‘Apple Intelligence’. At WWDC 2024 day one, Apple unveiled some of the latest features to come to its ecosystem of devices, starting with upgrades to the iOS 18, iPadOS, and macOS Sequoia, and ending with ChatGPT integration on devices.

Apple Intelligence uses the power of Apple silicon technology to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. This makes it easier for everyday users to enhance their writing and communication to a new level,

It’s important to note the newly announced AI features at WWDC 2024 will be available only on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and iPads or Macs with M1 or later chips, and has been confirmed by Apple. Obviously, the recently revealed iPad Pro is unaffected.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook said “We’re thrilled to introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation. Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products — and what our products can do for our users,” continuing with “This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do” on their new AI-heavy approach with Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024.

A New Siri @ WWDC 2024

With the power of Apple Intelligence, Siri got a complete makeover with iOS 18. When active, the outer rim of the Apple device’s screen will highlight with colour, and understand if the user stutters or trips over their words. Siri has also gone text, users can type messages to Siri similar to how OpenAI works. Siri will also be able to do more advanced functions such as editing a photo, starting a shopping list, and more.

Speaking of OpenAI, at WWDC 2024 Apple Intelligence also unveiled ChatGPT, powered by GPT-4o, which will step in and help out when Siri cannot answer a user’s questions. Of course, Apple will ask permission each time it does this. While ChatGPT integrations will arrive on iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS later this year, users will be happy to know they will not need top register with ChatGPT or make an account to use the functionality.

The unveiling of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024 also showed devices can now transcribe phone conversations almost immediately with more accuracy than ever before. This is great for interviews and Apple Intelligence always informs the other line when they’re being recorded to not break any privacy laws.

The rollout announcement of Apple Intelligence brought one more thing to the table, an AI image generator. Genmoji and Image Playground allow users to harness AI technology and create images instantly. Genmoji is for those who spend minutes scrolling emojis looking for the right one, Genmoji will make one for you right then and there by AI, Apple says. It will also allow users to make AI images of those they’re talking to on the fly.

Image Playground is a different type of creation tool, which works across most pre-loaded Apple Apps (like Notes), and provides users the ability to create images at the drop of a hat. This technology is available as an API for developers as well as a regular standalone app. Apple is also adding their version of Google’s Magic Eraser, which allows users to erase undesirable inclusions in otherwise good pictures.

All of this and more has been unveiled at Apple’s WWDC 2024 livestream, and fans who have missed it can head over to the official Apple website to catch up on all of the information revealed.