Generative AI expected to dominate at 'momentous' Apple conference
Apple is expected to unveil a wide range of new generative artificial intelligence tools on Monday night, as it looks to rival Google, Microsoft, and Samsung in embracing the emerging technology. WWDC (Worldwide Developers’ Conference) is finally expected to be the moment Apple lays out its plans for using the technology.
Experts say this will be a big moment for the tech sector as a whole, given the widespread use of Apple devices. How generative AI is embedded into the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac computers, and other devices will have a substantial impact on the future of the emerging technology. Apple’s investors will also be keen to see what the company has planned for what many believe will be the key innovation of this generation.
Apple's AI Plans
Experts are predicting Apple’s AI plans to come in several layers. Firstly, that broad AI-powered updates will be made across core apps to help with basic, everyday tasks, for example new AI editing tools to help with photos and videos, better predictive text for messages and emails or quick, AI-generated summaries of webpages or longer emails.
In addition to this, there are reports that Apple will use the event to announce a deal with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which will see the chatbot and virtual assistant integrated directly into Apple’s software across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, to help with more detailed, complex tasks.
Despite many of these features already being available on rival platforms, industry expert Ben Wood, the chief analyst at CCS Insight, said Apple is likely to use its “strength in storytelling” to make these updates appear “new”, rather than “just catching up with Samsung and others”.
Integration of AI Tools
Although the integration of generative AI tools is expected to dominate the event, the US tech giant will also provide its traditional annual software updates to its suite of products, with the technology that powers the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and others all due to receive updated operating systems. This feels like a momentous WWDC.
At a time when AI is transcending the tech industry, Apple is arguably on the back foot for the first time in a while. However, the company is no laggard and we expect it to come out fighting as it seeks to demonstrate how it can use AI to deliver meaningful improvements to its apps and services.
