Apple's WWDC event goes big on design, but says less on AI : NPR
Apple CEO Tim Cook waved to attendees during an event on the Apple campus in Cupertino, Calif., Monday, June 9, 2025.
Apple on Monday announced an overhaul of its operating system interface, introduced an app for games and unveiled a live translation feature, but only glancingly acknowledged last year's as-yet-unfulfilled promises on artificial intelligence.
Slow Progress on AI
At the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last year, executives introduced plans to use AI to make the virtual assistant Siri more interactive and able to perform complex tasks. Some features have been delayed, raising questions about Apple's approach to adopting AI.
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, mentioned during the keynote address that the company was continuing work to make the virtual assistant Siri "more personal." He stated that more updates would be shared "in the coming year."
In a significant move, Apple announced that it will open its "Apple Intelligence" AI model to developers for better integration into their apps, sparking what Federighi described as "a whole new wave of intelligence."
New Design Interface
Most of the presentation at the event was focused on demonstrating a new operating system interface that is more closely linked across Apple devices, with enhanced functionality and a design referred to as "Liquid Glass." This new design, to be incorporated into various devices, aims to make on-screen elements appear more fluid and reactive to movement.
Carolina Milanesi, a technology analyst at Creative Strategies, commented positively on the redesign, stating that it lowers the barrier for users to utilize multiple devices simultaneously.
While Apple is known for its sleek designs and loyal fan base, the focus on AI-enabled devices remains a potential area of pressure for the tech giant.
Challenges Ahead
Aside from AI, Apple is facing challenges such as potential tariffs on imported products and regulatory hurdles both domestically and internationally regarding compliance with various laws and regulations.
Despite criticism of its AI progress, analysts believe that Apple, known for producing top-quality products, is not out of the game yet in the AI race.
Apple declined to comment on critiques of its AI rollout.
