In June, Apple will introduce iOS 18 at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference. This is the most significant update to iOS since the iPhone debuted in 2007. It’s the new AI features that will make this iteration of iOS stand out. A report suggests the first set of AI features in iOS 18 will be handled locally ahead of launch.
Initially, Apple’s iOS 18 AI features for iPhones will be handled locally, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Apple’s iPhones will use their on-device AI power for these features, so they won’t require cloud servers. Apple’s large language model (LLM) eliminates the need for cloud processing in the initial wave of AI features. There is a good chance iOS 18 will have a chatbot similar to ChatGPT or Copilot.
Since the iPhone’s AI features will be handled locally, Gurman says they should run smoothly and quickly. As these AI features do not communicate with the cloud, the information gathered will be more private.
The Galaxy AI from Samsung allows users to choose whether certain features are run locally or remotely. In iOS 18, Apple could also offer similar AI functionality. At some point later this year, Gurman mentioned that Apple would offer cloud computing-based AI features.
Several third-party language models have already been developed, including OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini, and Baidu’s AI. It will vary from market to market which AI language model will be used. As an alternative to third-party models, Apple could also offer its own cloud-based generative AI language model. After the initial release of iOS 18 AI features, the brand’s model may appear at a later stage.
Apple’s first iOS 18 update will integrate on-device AI capabilities into existing services. AI will soon power Apple Music, Siri, Spotlight, Safari, and more of the brand’s apps and services.
