So yes, most of the new AI-infused or AI-powered features coming to iOS, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia are powered by Apple Intelligence and use it on-device or in the Private Compute Cloud. And yes, that includes the vast majority of Siri’s new intelligence and new powers.
But Apple is giving users the option to opt out of another LLM (large language model) – OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o can be enabled if Siri doesn’t quite know the answer or you might want to change your writing style. However, you are not locked into OpenAI’s latest LLM.
Speaking after the keynote concluded, Craig Federighi – Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering – shared a bit more about Apple’s approach here: “Ultimately, we want to empower users to use the model of their choice.”
It’s an approach similar to the way Apple lets you select a default search engine on your iPhone; Federighi did say that the LLM choice could potentially include Google Gemini, but was quick to note that Apple had “nothing to announce” but it is “the direction.” On stage with Federighi during the conversation were John Giannandrea – Apple’s SVP Machine Learning and AI Strategy – and Justine Ezarik (iJustine). Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the conversation.
As a whole, it’s a win for users’ freedom of choice. If there is an LLM that better suits your needs or perhaps your beliefs about Internet privacy, you will one day be able to make that choice, assuming Apple’s idea with software functionality doesn’t change.
This means that all users, including Scarlett Johansson – if she uses an iPhone – will not be forced to use ChatGPT-4o… at least for the long term. When Apple Intelligence ships with the new Siri, the assistant will sometimes ask for certain requests or questions and use ChatGPT to provide an answer. With user-written text anywhere on supported devices, you can also flag the response and send it to ChatGPT for review.
Of course, these are all opt-in. You’ll also need an iPad or Mac powered by an M-Series chip or iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max – thanks to the A17 Pro chip – to use all Apple Intelligence features or the new Siri when it comes later. year arrives.
For more on the big keynote of Apple’s special WWDC 2024 event, check out our roundup of 13 things we learned here.