Apple Intelligence is not just another AI feature. It represents Apple's vision of integrating artificial intelligence in ways that feel deeply personal and context-aware. This AI suite, referred to by Apple as "AI for the rest of us," merges generative AI with user context, creating seamless experiences across iOS 18’s ecosystem.
iOS 18 is set to be publicly released in September 2024, following several beta versions available since June. Users have had a taste of the upcoming features through these betas, including updates to core applications like Safari, Photos, and Notes.
But what truly sets iOS 18 apart is its deep integration of Apple Intelligence, making AI a core component of the user interface. With features ranging from smarter Siri capabilities to intuitive image editing tools, Apple’s vision for AI integration is clear: to make devices not only more intelligent but also more attuned to user needs.
What Are the New Features Expected to Be Part of Apple AI iOS 18?
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Apple Intelligence integration
Apple's AI suite, referred to as Apple Intelligence, is deeply integrated into iOS 18. It merges generative AI with personal user context to deliver personalised and context-aware experiences.
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Smarter Siri
Siri gets a complete overhaul with more contextual relevance and improved language understanding. New "Type to Siri" feature, allowing users to interact by typing instead of speaking. Now, Siri can perform more complex tasks like editing photos, managing files, and creating folders.
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Writing Tools
AI-powered writing tools are available across apps, enabling users to rewrite, polish, proofread, and summarise content. These tools help adjust tone, fix grammar, and make writing more concise, making content creation seamless and efficient.
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Image Playground
A new app that lets users generate custom images using prompts or Apple’s suggestions. Options include creating images in styles like animation, illustration, and sketch. Integrated into other apps like Messenge and Notes for easy sharing.
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Genmoji
A feature in messages allowing users to create custom emojis.
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Custom Memories in Photos
The AI-powered Memories feature allows users to create personalised slideshows by typing a description. Enhanced Clean Up Tool to remove unwanted objects from photos.
- Contextual Siri Capabilities
Siri can now understand what’s on your screen and can help based on that context. It can also, remember previous requests and keep track of them for follow-up actions.
- OpenAI Integration
If Siri can’t answer something, it has the option to bring in ChatGPT for assistance.
- Personalised AI Content Generation
Apple Intelligence enables users to generate content—like written text, images, and media—tailored to their personal preferences and input.
- Private Cloud Compute
For privacy, most AI tasks are processed on-device for iPhone 15 Pro models, iPads, and Macs with M-series chips.
- Siri's Expanded App Integration
Siri can now search the entire device for information, manage apps, and perform actions within apps. Siri can also edit photos, manage files, and perform a wider variety of actions in multiple apps, making it a more powerful assistant.
- Siri’s New Look
Siri’s new design includes a glowing ring that appears around the display when the assistant is activated.
- Voice and Text-Based Commands
Siri can respond to both voice and text-based commands, offering more flexibility for different situations.
- Deeper Personalisation
Siri and other AI features in iOS 18 become more personal by considering the user’s history, preferences, and context for more tailored assistance.
According to Wedbush analysts, Apple's push toward AI-driven devices is expected to trigger a historic upgrade cycle. They estimate that there are over 300 million iPhones globally that haven't been upgraded in over four years. With the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup combined with the AI-powered features of iOS 18, analysts project that Apple could sell more than 240 million iPhones in fiscal 2025, driving significant growth in the company's sales.