Apple joined the AI bandwagon with the announcement of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024. Apple Intelligence is Apple’s AI baked into the latest pro-grade iPhones, iPads, and Macs. We mention “pro-grade” because Apple Intelligence isn’t compatible with all iPhones. Here we will learn which iPhones come with Apple intelligence. Additionally, we’ll delve into what Apple Intelligence is, its AI features, its security, and when you can expect to get it on your iPhone.
Table of Contents
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is a clever spin on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Apple calls it your “personal intelligence system”. So, Apple Intelligence isn’t a standalone chatbot app but a deeply integrated system-wide feature to enhance various aspects of user experience in the Apple product ecosystem. It is currently available on select iPhones, iPads, and Macs only.
How Apple Intelligence works?
Apple claims Apple Intelligence is built with privacy at its core. The company does this by employing a multi-fold approach.
Apple Intelligence works both on-device and from the cloud. The on-device Apple Intelligence is fine-tuned for specific AI tasks. The processing is done locally and your data isn’t stored or used for training or profiling. The results will be quick, private and secure.
However, Apple Intelligence connects to AI models in the cloud for more complex AI tasks. Now this cloud route is again two-prong:
- Apple’s AI models in Apple servers (called Private Cloud Compute)
- Third-party AI models (like Open AI’s GPT-based ChatGPT)
Again data sent to Private Cloud Compute isn’t stored or accessed by Apple.
In instances when Apple Intelligence thinks it needs help, it will seek your permission to connect with ChatGPT. When you agree, you get a response from ChatGPT. OpenAI won’t store this data and your IP addresses will be obscured. However, if you sign in to your ChatGPT Plus account, OpenAI’s data policy will apply.
Apple Intelligence-supported phones
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (with advanced and more powerful 3nm A17 Pro processor, 8GB of RAM, 2x faster 16-core Neural Engine)
- Upcoming Apple phones like the iPhone 16 series are also likely to support Apple Intelligence.
Why Apple Intelligence not supported on older iPhones
Per Apple AI chief John Giannandrea, Apple Intelligence demands a combination of bandwidth in the device, the size of the ANE [Apple Intelligence Neural Engine], and the overall computational power of your device to simultaneously run various generative AI models fast enough to be useful.
Devices listed as compatible with Apple Intelligence have 8GB of RAM. Apple calls RAM as one of the pieces to run the on-device AI models.
So, to the question, “Can Apple Intelligence run on older iPhones?” Theoretically yes, but the lack or lack thereof of the above ingredients can cause Apple Intelligence to run so slow that it won’t be useful.
Apple Intelligence release date, availability
Apple Intelligence will be available in beta this fall in the US. It will roll out as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. But for you to get it, ensure your device language and Siri are set to U.S. English.
Apple Intelligence will get more features and support for additional languages and compatibility for more platforms will come over next year.
10+ Apple Intelligence features
- You get access to Writing Tools like proofreading, rewriting, summarising, and changing tone to enhance writing text across apps and the system.
- Apple Intelligence can present Priority notifications in a summarised manner above less-important notifications. Similarly, Priority messages will be sorted above regular emails in the Mail app.
- You can ask Apple Intelligence for a Summary of emails and audio recordings.
- It will even suggest you responses for Smart Reply in Mail.
- Apple Intelligence can understand the content of a notification and its importance for you. By association, it allows Reduced Interruptions in Focus mode.
- You can create and share AI-generated emojis called Genmoji.
- Similarly, you can generate images using AI in Image Playground
- Image Wand uses Apple Intelligence to turn your sketches into related images. This works in the Notes app.
- Give Apple Intelligence a prompt and it will create a clip (similar themed photos stitched together) called Memory Movie.
- Search for Photos and Videos feature uses Apple Intelligence to find you what you are looking for, even if it’s a moment from a video.
- Clean Up in the Photos app lets you erase unwanted objects or people in a photo.
- Upgraded Siri can understand user intent, context, and what’s on-screen and aid you accordingly.
You can read more about Apple Intelligence here.
FAQs
Does the iPhone 14 support Apple Intelligence?
No, the iPhone 14 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence.
Does the iPhone 14 Pro support Apple Intelligence?
No, the iPhone 14 Pro doesn’t support Apple Intelligence.
Does the iPhone 15 support Apple Intelligence?
No, the iPhone 15 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence.
Which of my Apple devices support Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is currently supported on 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)
Does Apple Intelligence use ChatGPT?
Apple has partnered with Open AI for ChatGPT integration with Siri. Siri will connect to ChatGPT when Apple’s in-house AI isn’t able to serve the user request/query. Siri will do so with your permission only. Each time it wants to knock on ChatGPT’s door, it will first seek your permission.
Is Apple Intelligence secure?
Apple claims the user data isn’t stored or accessed by Apple in any way. Even when Apple Intelligence connects with ChatGPT, OpenAI can’t access this data. It is only when you sign in to your ChatGPT Plus account on the ChatGPT interface on Apple devices, that the OpenAI data policy gets applied.
How is Apple Intelligence different from Siri?
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s artificial intelligence system and Siri is an app/platform through which you access/use Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence enables Siri to better understand language, comprehend what’s on the screen, interpret user intent, and take appropriate actions accordingly.
