The Apple Inc. logo is displayed outside a retail store at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, on March 20, 2023.
Apple Inc. is advancing the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into its portfolio of products, both internally and externally. This initiative follows iOS 17's "Transformer" model-based autocorrect capability.
The tech giant has recently posted several job openings that specifically state their need for generative AI skills. TechCrunch reported one job advertisement shows an App Store position in charge of creating a generative AI-based developer experience platform for internal usage and app development. One job at Apple Retail indicates that it is focused on developing a "conversational AI platform" for voice and chat interactions with consumers. Building text-generation technologies, particularly those for long-form text production, summarization, and question-answering, is another duty included in the job descriptions.
Additional departmental postings for AI and machine learning point to work on foundational models, with a "human-like conversational agent" being one possible use. Apple's generative AI needs have been expanded to include divisions like Siri Information Intelligence, which manages services like Siri and Spotlight Search. Notably, Apple is actively looking for expertise to work on developing local model implementations for its products.
Apple has previously looked for someone with experience in generative AI, but this time the corporation has been more specific in what it wants.
Apple to Focus on Generative AI?
Apple is preparing to spend over $1 billion annually on generative AI-based features and products. A source said Apple considered not producing generative AI-based goods "a pretty big miss internally."
Apple's main objective is to use large language models (LLMs) to improve functionality for Siri and the Messages app in the future iOS release, including capabilities like sentence completion. This effort also includes investigating generative AI-assisted features for tools and services like Xcode, which supports developers, playlists created by AI for Apple Music, and writing tools like Pages and Keynote.
Stay Tuned for Major Update
According to a recent Bloomberg article, Apple announced its big language model called "Ajax" and launched an internal chatbot called "Apple GPT" for testing in July. The next crucial step for Apple is to evaluate the technology's viability and decide how to incorporate it into its products.
Senior vice presidents John Giannandrea and Craig Federighi, together with Eddy Cue, director of services, are driving Apple's generative AI initiative. Giannandrea is in charge of creating a new AI system, which will be very different from Siri. Although there are still questions about the technology's suitability for extensive integration throughout Apple's product line, the improved Siri, with sophisticated generative AI, may debut as early as next year.
Notably, Apple is planning to release iOS 17.1 this week, bringing with it several bug fixes and several new features, including upgrades to the AirDrop feature and improvements to Apple Music, including the option to favorite songs, alter playlist artwork, and get song recommendations, as reported by Manila Bulletin.
