Apple aims to run AI on iPhone and may release ``next generation Siri equipped with AI'' in iOS 18

In recent years, major technology companies such as Microsoft and Google have released products equipped with AI one after another, and Apple, which develops products such as the iPhone and iPad, is also moving towards developing its own AI. The financial newspaper Financial Times reports that Apple is developing its own large-scale language model necessary for AI products, and that ``next generation Siri equipped with AI'' may be released in iOS 18 in 2024. I reported that there is.

Apple boosts plans to bring generative AI to iPhones
https://www.ft.com/content/52839eb2-6641-42a6-acd7-5d41e809c97a

Next generation Siri likely to be launched in iOS 18, ChatGPT style
https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/24/next-generation-siri-ios-18/

At the time of writing, Apple does not stand out in the AI field compared to competing large technology companies. However, this does not mean that Apple is indifferent to AI, as it is the leader in the number of AI-related companies acquired between 2016 and 2020, and has spent up to $5 billion over two years on dedicated servers needed for AI development. It has also been reported that it may cost around 750 billion yen.

Apple plans to invest 750 billion yen in two years to catch up with the AI development race - GIGAZINE

Daniel Ive, an analyst at investment firm Wedbush Securities , pointed out that at the time of writing the article, Apple was preparing for large-scale M&A of AI-related companies. 'I would be shocked if Apple doesn't make a major AI acquisition this year, because the AI arms race is underway, and I don't think Apple is going to sit by and watch it. Because there isn't,' he commented.

In addition, a survey by Morgan Stanley , a major financial institution, found that more than half of Apple's AI-related job openings included the term ' deep learning .' Deep learning is related to generative AI such as text, and it has been suggested that Apple is working on developing generative AI.

In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook has admitted that Apple is already working on developing generative AI.

Apple CEO Tim Cook admits that it is developing its own generative AI, Apple's R&D expenses increased by about 440 billion yen from the same period last year - GIGAZINE

The Financial Times said, ``Apple's goal appears to be to operationalize generated AI through mobile devices. 'To overcome this technical challenge, we need to reduce the size of the large language models that power AI and enable more powerful processors.'

Apple is already focusing on AI in the design and architecture of the chips it uses in its devices. The next-generation Mac processors ``M3,'' ``M3 Pro,'' and ``M3 Max,'' announced in October 2023, are being promoted as enabling AI developers who handle billions of parameters to execute workflows on laptops. Masu.

Apple announces next-generation M series 'M3', 'M3 Pro' and 'M3 Max', the first 3nm process chips for Mac - GIGAZINE

In addition, the A17 Pro chip installed in the iPhone 15 Pro/15 Max has a neural engine that processes AI-related tasks that is twice as fast as the previous generation. Dylan Patel, an analyst at SemiAnalysis, a semiconductor consulting firm, said, ``When it comes to chips installed in devices, there is no doubt that the designs and architectures will become increasingly AI-oriented.'' Ta.

Apple has already introduced its own chat AI 'Apple GPT' into its internal operations , and in a paper published in December 2023 , it claims to be able to 'effectively infer large-scale language models on devices with limited memory. ``technologies for this purpose'', increasing the possibility of providing generative AI tools like ChatGPT through the iPhone.

Morgan Stanley analysts predict that iOS 18, which will be announced at Apple's annual developer conference 'WWDC' to be held in June 2024, may include 'Siri with a large language model' I expect that there will be.

Apple's AI strategy is only ``providing AI tools through devices,'' which is different from Microsoft and Google's stance, which aims to be the foundation of various AI apps and tools. Laura Martin, an analyst at investment bank Needham & Company , points out that this is because Apple is trying to benefit its own ecosystem and protect its installed base. 'Apple is not trying to do what Google and Amazon want to do, which is to become the backbone of every American company building apps with a large language model.'