So yes, most of the new AI-powered or AI-powered features coming to iOS, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia are powered by Apple Intelligence and used on-device or in the Private Compute Cloud. And yes, that also applies to the vast majority of Siri's new intelligence and powers.
But Apple is giving users the option to use another LLM (large language model): OpenAI's ChatGPT-4o can be turned to when Siri doesn't know the answer or when you want to mix up your writing style. However, you won't be stuck with OpenAI's latest LLM.
Speaking in a talk after wrapping up the keynote, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, shared a little more about Apple's approach here: “We want to enable users to ultimately bring the model of their choice”.
It's a similar approach to how Apple lets you select a default search engine on your iPhone; Federighi said the LLM pick could include Google Gemini, but was quick to point out that Apple had “nothing to announce” but is “the direction.” On stage with Federighi during the conversation were John Giannandrea, Apple's senior vice president of machine learning and artificial intelligence strategy, and Justine Ezarik (iJustine). Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, introduced the conversation.
Altogether, it is a victory for users' freedom of choice. If there is an LLM that better suits your needs or perhaps your beliefs about Internet privacy, you may someday make that decision, assuming Apple's idea with software functionality doesn't change.
This means that no user, including Scarlett Johansson (if using an iPhone), will not be forced to use ChatGPT-4o… at least in the long term. When Apple Intelligence ships alongside the new Siri, the assistant will sometimes prompt certain requests or questions and use ChatGPT to provide a response. With user-written text, anywhere on supported devices, you'll also be able to highlight the response and send it to ChatGPT for review.
Of course, these are all optional. You'll also need an iPad or Mac with an M-Series chip or an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, thanks to the A17 Pro chip, to use any Apple Intelligence features or the new Siri when it arrives later this year.
For more on Apple's massive WWDC 2024 special event keynote, check out our roundup of 13 things we learned here.
