Apple introduced new AI capabilities branded as Apple Intelligence at the annual WWDC event last week. These features are set to be incorporated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, respectively. Although the new software versions will become available to the public later this year, they won’t come preloaded with all Apple Intelligence features. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the rollout will be gradual, extending into 2025.
Apple Intelligence’s Gradual Rollout
Gurman reports that Apple plans to introduce the new Intelligence features in phases over several months. The Cupertino-based tech giant aims to avoid the issues that have plagued other AI systems. Typically, Apple releases features announced at WWDC in September when the new iPhones are launched. However, this time, Apple has disclosed that the latest AI technology will not adhere to a strict schedule. During the recent keynote, the company outlined a roadmap for what will be available later this year and early next year.
Strategic Delays and Resource Management
Gurman points out that the delayed rollout of Apple Intelligence has its advantages. It allows Apple to manage its resources more effectively by not overwhelming its staff with the simultaneous release of all features. Initially, Apple will focus on American English, giving the company more time to train its AI models in other languages, a process that could take years. Additionally, the tech giant will take its time to bolster its cloud infrastructure to prevent server crashes due to high user demand. Apple also aims to improve the accuracy of information delivered by its AI services by starting with a smaller user base.
Some features of Apple Intelligence, including the enhanced Siri assistant capabilities showcased at WWDC—such as contextual searches and on-screen awareness—will not be available until next year. The ChatGPT integration is also slated for a 2025 release. On the plus side, the initial version of Apple Intelligence will include features like notification prioritization, webpage summarization, writing tools, image generation, and Genmoji.
Non-AI Features
Gurman also mentions that non-AI features, such as updates to the Mail app and the ability to edit spatial videos, will not be included in the initial software version updates.
