Apple has played the long game with its generative AI features, choosing not to rush into adding AI co-pilots to devices as rival Microsoft has done. Instead, Apple’s upcoming generative AI features aim to deliver on the promise Siri made more than a decade ago — a human-like assistant that can make using devices more intuitive — while adding well-known generative AI capabilities like image generation to smartphones.
What does Apple Intelligence do?
Apple Intelligence is a general term for a variety of generative artificial intelligence features that can run on Apple devices. These include:
- Generative writing tools.
- Automatic summary.
- Intelligent prioritization of notifications and emails.
- Photo editing.
- Automatic classification of photographs.
- The ability to control some of the phone's settings with voice commands.
- A more conversational and versatile approach to Siri.
How does Apple Intelligence work?
Apple Intelligence is enabled by Apple’s A17 Pro, A18, A18 Pro, M1, or M2 chips, which include a neural network component that runs generative operations on-device. Some of the higher-processing generative AI tasks on iPhones will be offloaded to Private Cloud Compute, a gateway between the phone and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
SEE: Our cheat sheet has everything you need to know about the iPhone 16.
Which devices will have Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iOS 18.1 or later. The full list of devices is:
| iPhone 16 (A18) iPhone 16 Plus (A18) iPhone 16 Pro Max (A18 Pro) iPhone 16 Pro (A18 Pro) iPhone 15 Pro Max (A17 Pro) |
iPhone 15 Pro (A17 Pro) iPad Pro (M1 and later) iPad Air (M1 and later) MacBook Air (M1 and later) MacBook Pro (M1 and later) |
iMac (M1 and later) Mac mini (M1 and later) Mac Studio (M1 Max and later) Mac Pro (M2 Ultra) |
Apple Intelligence is not available in China and may be limited in the EU.
Is Apple Intelligence coming to older phones?
No. Devices with older hardware than those listed above do not have chips suitable for running Apple Intelligence.
How much does Apple Intelligence cost?
Apple Intelligence is free with a software update on supported devices.
When was Apple Intelligence released?
Starting in September 2024, Apple Intelligence will be available in preview via the iOS 18.1 beta. The full release will follow in October. However, not all Apple Intelligence features will be available at that time. First to roll out are writing tools, photo features, support for summaries and audio in Notes, Reduce Interruptions, Priority Messages, and Smart Reply in Mail, and improvements to Siri.
Later this year and in the months ahead, Apple will introduce more image editing features, enhanced personal context and on-screen awareness in Siri interactions, and world awareness powered by ChatGPT.
Apple Intelligence will initially launch in American English. In December, it will be translated into English for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Other languages, including Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish, will be added next year.
Is Siri artificial intelligence?
It depends on the definition of the term. Before the update it received from Apple Intelligence, Siri was arguably artificial intelligence, but not generative AI. Siri did not remix any content, but simply performed operations.
Some argue that these computing capabilities should not be considered AI, as the term suggests a science-fiction-like level of intelligence that algorithms, however advanced, cannot match. However, “AI” has become a widely accepted term for certain types of computing. Still, it might have been more accurate to call Siri a digital assistant rather than a true AI.
After the update to Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 or beta, it may now be more accurate to call Siri Generative AI.
How to add Apple Intelligence to iPhone?
Apple Intelligence will be coming to supported iPhones as an automatic software update in October. To manually check for software updates, visit Settings > General > Software Update.
How do I activate Apple Intelligence?
Starting in September 2024, iPhone users can ensure they are among the first to get Apple Intelligence by joining the waitlist after updating to iOS 18.1. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Join Apple Intelligence Waitlist.
Who are Apple Intelligence's competitors?
Both Samsung and Google have integrated generative AI into their newest phones. The Google Pixel 9 series, which launched in August, uses Google Gemini for photo editing, summaries, and conversations. The Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which launched earlier this year, also uses Google Gemini and other Google AI products for similar functions.
