Apple's in-house generative artificial intelligence technology, powering its Apple Intelligence feature, is reportedly over two years behind industry leaders, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Internal sources suggest that upcoming AI features lack the 'wow factor' seen in technologies from Google, OpenAI, and Meta.
Internal studies indicate that OpenAI's ChatGPT outperforms the new Siri by 25% in accuracy and can answer 30% more questions. This finding aligns with Apple's plans to partner with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its operating systems, aiming to enhance generative AI assistance and address the performance gap.
Despite these challenges, Apple's extensive ecosystem of integrated devices may provide an advantage, allowing for rapid deployment of new technologies across its product range. The company has a strong track record in entering new markets, maintaining its position as a significant player in the tech industry.
The latest iPhone 16 series, Macs, and iPads (excluding the entry-level model) now support Apple Intelligence. A new iPhone SE 4 with this support is expected to launch in March, alongside an AI-capable entry-level iPad later this year. Additionally, the technology will extend to Vision Pro and provide AI notification summaries on Apple Watch.
Most AI capabilities are anticipated to be included in the upcoming iOS 18.1 update, scheduled for release later this month, featuring an updated Siri interface and the Clean Up tool. However, many AI features will be rolled out gradually until the iOS 18.4 release, projected for March next year.