Apples AI Revolution A Guide to Apple Intelligence

If you have a newer iPhone, you've likely seen Apple Intelligence popping up in apps like Messages, Mail, and Notes. Launched in October 2024, Apple's unique take on AI is its answer to competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, aiming to build a smarter, more integrated user experience.

What is Apple Intelligence?

Image Credits: Apple

Apple has branded its new platform with the tagline: “AI for the rest of us.” The system is designed to leverage the strengths of generative AI, such as text and image creation, to enhance features you already use. Similar to platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence is built on large information models that use deep learning to understand and generate content, from text to images.

Powerful New Tools for Text, Images, and Siri

The most visible changes appear in the form of practical tools integrated directly into the Apple ecosystem.

Writing Tools: Available across apps like Mail, Messages, and Pages, this feature can summarize long texts, proofread your writing, and even draft entire messages based on simple content and tone prompts.

Image Generation: Apple has woven image creation into its software in fun and useful ways. You can now generate custom emojis, called Genmojis, that match Apple's distinct visual style. Additionally, a standalone app called Image Playground allows you to create images from text prompts, which can then be shared in Messages, Keynote, or on social media.

A Smarter Siri: Apple Intelligence provides a much-needed upgrade for Siri. The virtual assistant is now more deeply integrated into the operating system. Instead of the old icon, a glowing light now appears around the edge of your screen when Siri is active. More importantly, the new Siri works seamlessly across different apps. For instance, you can ask it to find and edit a photo and then immediately add it to a text message. With "onscreen awareness," Siri can also use the context of what you're currently viewing to provide more relevant answers.

Check out a quick overview of Apple Intelligence on iPhone in this video.

While many expected an even more advanced Siri at WWDC 2025, Apple announced a delay. “This work needed more time to reach our high-quality bar,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering. This more personalized version of Siri, which is supposed to understand personal context like your relationships and routines, was reportedly too error-ridden to ship, according to a Bloomberg report.

However, Apple did unveil other new AI features at WWDC 2025, including Visual Intelligence for image-based searching and Live Translation for real-time conversation translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. These features are expected to launch with iOS 26 later in 2025.

The Rollout: From WWDC 2024 to Your Device

Apple Intelligence was officially introduced at WWDC 2024, addressing speculation that Apple was falling behind in the generative AI race. Instead of launching a standalone chatbot, Apple revealed a pragmatic approach focused on integrating AI into existing apps and services. The first wave of features began rolling out in October 2024 with the release of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.

Initially launched in U.S. English, support was later expanded to include English localizations for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Support for additional languages, including Spanish, French, German, and Japanese, is planned for 2025.

Is Your Apple Device Compatible?

Image Credits: Darrell Etherington

Apple Intelligence features are being released in waves and are available for free, but they require significant processing power. You'll need one of the following devices:

• All iPhone 16 models
• iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (A17 Pro chip)
• iPad Pro (M1 and later)
• iPad Air (M1 and later)
• iPad mini (A17 or later)
• MacBook Air (M1 and later)
• MacBook Pro (M1 and later)
• iMac (M1 and later)
• Mac mini (M1 and later)
• Mac Studio (M1 Max and later)
• Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)

Notably, only the Pro models of the iPhone 15 line are compatible due to the advanced A17 Pro chip. It is expected that all models in the iPhone 16 lineup will support these features.

Privacy First: On-Device vs. Cloud AI

Image Credits: Apple

Unlike many AI services that send your queries to external servers, Apple has prioritized privacy with a hybrid approach. By using smaller, bespoke AI models trained for specific tasks (like composing an email), many Apple Intelligence features can run directly on your device. This makes them faster, more efficient, and private, as your data never leaves your phone.

For more complex requests, Apple uses its new Private Cloud Compute. These are remote servers running on Apple Silicon, which the company claims offer the same high level of privacy as its consumer devices. The switch between on-device and cloud processing is seamless to the user, though you'll receive an error for cloud-based queries if you're offline.

Partnering with OpenAI: How ChatGPT Fits In

Image Credits: Didem Mente/Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Apple acknowledged that its focused AI models have limitations. To fill the gaps, the company partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT. This integration serves as a supplementary tool for queries that are beyond the scope of Apple Intelligence.

When you ask Siri a question it can't handle, such as planning a trip or finding a recipe, it will ask for your permission to query ChatGPT. This access is free, though users with paid ChatGPT accounts can access premium features. ChatGPT is also integrated into the Writing Tools, allowing you to generate new content from a prompt. Apple has stated its intention to partner with other AI services in the future, with Google Gemini expected to be next.

Opening the Doors: AI Tools for Developers

At WWDC 2025, Apple announced the Foundation Models framework, which allows developers to tap into its on-device AI models. This will enable third-party apps to build smart features that work offline and maintain user privacy without incurring cloud API costs, opening up a world of possibilities for more intelligent and engaging app experiences.

The Future of Siri: What to Expect in 2026

Looking ahead, Apple is expected to unveil a significantly overhauled Siri experience in 2026. To accelerate development and compete more effectively, Apple is reportedly in talks to partner with an external company, with rumors pointing toward its main hardware competitor, Google, to help power the next generation of its iconic virtual assistant.