Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledges that his company isn't leading the field in AI technology but emphasizes their focus on being the foremost in delivering top-notch AI solutions.
Apple, known for its innovative technology, is set to introduce a new AI-powered feature called Apple Intelligence. This suite of tools includes priority notifications, transcript summaries for Notes and phone calls, and email summaries. However, the initial rollout, expected on October 28, will be basic compared to AI capabilities on Android.
According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the delayed launch of Apple Intelligence is a strategic move. In an interview, he asserted that Apple wasn't the first to do intelligence, but they believe they've done it in the best way for customers. Cook has been using AI-generated text summaries for his emails, claiming they save him time.
Google, on the other hand, has already integrated AI-generated text and summarization capabilities into its services. Google's Project Astra, a universal AI assistant prototype, is designed to perform tasks across apps and devices, such as setting an appointment from a text message. Gemini, a part of Project Astra, is reportedly edging close to creating an AI capable of such tasks.
Internal sources within Apple view the company's belated work on AI as a "pretty big miss." An internal study found that Siri was 25% less accurate than ChatGPT, and OpenAI's chatbot could answer 30% more questions. Despite this, Cook remains optimistic, emphasising that Apple is focused on being the best, not being first.
Apple's AI will be integrated onto iPhones, iPads, and select models, but it will be restricted within Apple's security system and require user permission. AI features like Writing Tools for proofreading, rewriting, or summarizing text are already available through the iOS 18.1 beta.
Cook believes AI will make users' time on their phones "profoundly different" and change how they operate their devices. The company currently advancing the development of an "agential" AI assistant for mobile devices is Google with Project Astra.
It's important to note that the interview with Cook does not critically examine his reasoning. Cook is presented as having a positive outlook, emphasising that Apple is focused on being the best, not being first. This approach, while potentially risky, reflects Apple's history of prioritising quality over speed.
In the past, Apple has had major misses, such as the butterfly keyboards. However, these setbacks have not deterred the company from pushing boundaries and innovating. With the delayed launch of Apple Intelligence, Apple is once again demonstrating its commitment to delivering high-quality AI technology to its customers.
In conclusion, while Apple's AI may not be released until a few months or possibly until 2025, the company is working diligently to ensure it delivers a product that meets its high standards. The delayed rollout of Apple Intelligence may be seen as a setback, but for Apple, it's just another step towards revolutionising the way we interact with technology.
