Apple is known for its innovation and design, but it has been lagging behind its rivals in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). While Google, Microsoft, and Samsung have been launching AI-powered products and services, such as chatbots, assistants, and video models, Apple has yet to unveil its own major AI breakthrough. However, that may change soon, as a report by the Financial Times reveals that Apple has been quietly working on a massive AI project that could transform its iPhones and give it an edge over the competition. Apple is quietly working on a massive AI project that could transform its iPhones and give it an edge over the competition. Learn how Apple plans to use generative AI models to power iOS 18 and the iPhone 16. Apple generative AI for iPhones
The report claims that Apple has been on a spree of acquisitions, hiring, and research in the area of generative AI, which is the branch of AI that can create new content, such as text, images, and videos, from a given input or prompt. Generative AI is the technology behind tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard, which can generate realistic and coherent text based on a user’s query or request. Generative AI is also the backbone of AI chatbots and assistants, such as Apple’s Siri, that can converse with humans and provide useful information and services. Apple generative AI for iPhones
According to the report, Apple’s goal is to develop its own generative AI model, codenamed “Ajax”, that can run on the iPhone’s own hardware and software, rather than rely on cloud services and data centers. This would allow Apple to offer faster, more secure, and more personalized AI experiences to its users, without compromising on privacy and quality. Ajax is said to be a large language model (LLM) that operates on 200 billion parameters, which is a measure of the complexity and capability of an AI model. For comparison, Google’s Bard operates on 100 billion parameters, while OpenAI’s GPT-4 operates on 175 billion parameters.
Apple has already released a research paper that demonstrates a breakthrough technique for running LLMs on iPhones, using flash memory – the same memory that stores apps and photos – to streamline the bulky AI models. The paper, which was co-authored by experts from Apple and Columbia University, shows that the technique can achieve comparable results to cloud-based LLMs, while reducing the latency and bandwidth requirements by up to 90%. The paper also suggests that the technique can be applied to other types of generative AI models, such as image and video models.
Apple’s generative AI project is expected to be integrated into iOS 18, the next version of its mobile operating system, which is likely to be released in the fall of 2024. The project is also expected to power the next generation of iPhones, which could be called the iPhone 16 series. The new iPhones could feature enhanced AI capabilities, such as improved Siri, advanced camera and video features, and new apps and services that leverage generative AI. For example, the new iPhones could allow users to create their own videos, songs, or artworks, based on their preferences and inputs, using generative AI models. Apple generative AI for iPhones
Apple’s secret AI strategy could give it a significant advantage over its rivals, as it could offer a unique and differentiated AI experience to its users, that is fast, secure, and personalized. It could also help Apple regain its reputation as an innovator and a leader in the tech industry, and boost its sales and revenue. However, Apple’s AI project also faces some challenges, such as ethical, social, and legal issues, that could arise from the use and misuse of generative AI. Apple will have to ensure that its AI models are fair, transparent, and accountable, and that they respect the privacy and rights of its users and others. Apple generative AI for iPhones
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