Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has become a beacon for technological innovation, and this year's event was no exception. While the company dialed back on its focus on Apple Intelligence, it unveiled a plethora of updates to its operating systems, services, and software, all underpinned by a new design philosophy dubbed "Liquid Glass." Yet, amidst these updates, Apple still managed to sprinkle in several AI-centric announcements, signaling its ongoing commitment to artificial intelligence.
Visual Intelligence, Apple's AI-powered image analysis technology, took center stage with its ability to provide contextual information about one's surroundings. This technology can now interact with on-screen content, conducting image searches on social media posts and other platforms. Utilizing Google Search and ChatGPT, Visual Intelligence offers a new dimension to the user experience, becoming accessible with iOS 26 later this year.
In a creative twist, Apple integrated ChatGPT into its Image Playground, an AI-powered image generation tool. This integration allows the app to generate images in diverse styles, from anime to oil paintings, offering users a wealth of creative options. The feature also enables users to send prompts to ChatGPT for additional image creations.
Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate Apple's latest AI-driven workout coach, which employs a text-to-speech model to deliver real-time encouragement, mimicking the voice of a personal trainer. The AI within the Workout app provides motivational talks, highlighting key performance metrics and summarizing achievements post-workout.
Communication is further enhanced with Apple Intelligence's new live translation feature for Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. This technology translates text and spoken words into the user's preferred language in real time, offering live captions during FaceTime calls and audible translations during phone conversations.
Apple also debuted two AI-powered phone call features: call screening, which answers calls from unknown numbers in the background, and hold assist, which detects hold music and allows users to multitask while waiting for a call center agent. These features are set to revolutionize the way users manage their calls.
In the realm of group decisions, Apple introduced a poll-creation feature within the Messages app. Leveraging Apple Intelligence, the feature suggests polls based on the context of conversations, streamlining the decision-making process.
The Shortcuts app is set to become more powerful with the integration of AI models, enabling features like AI summarization when building shortcuts.
Spotlight, Mac's on-device search feature, is also receiving a minor update. By incorporating Apple Intelligence, Spotlight will improve its contextual awareness, offering tailored suggestions for actions that users typically perform.
In a significant move, Apple is now permitting developers to access its AI models offline through the Foundation Models framework. This development encourages the creation of new AI features, as Apple competes in the AI market.
However, the event's most disappointing revelation was the delay in Siri's anticipated AI-powered features. While attendees were eager for a preview, Apple's SVP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, announced that more information would only be shared next year. This delay raises questions about Apple's strategy for its voice assistant in an increasingly competitive market. Despite this setback, Apple's commitment to AI is evident, with a range of innovative features set to enhance user experiences across its ecosystem.