How AI integration in iOS 18 will change your iPhone experience

Apple is about to transform the way you use your iPhone with the introduction of ‘Apple Intelligence,’ a set of AI-powered features debuting in iOS 18.

At the forefront of this development is a revamped Siri, now enhanced through a partnership with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. This new version promises to make your interactions with your iPhone more intuitive and personalized, but it also raises important questions about data privacy.

What is Apple Intelligence and when is it coming?

Apple Intelligence is the umbrella term for the AI ​​improvements coming to iPhones with iOS 18. The first iOS 18 update will roll out with the launch of the iPhone 16 in September, but the AI ​​features, including ChatGPT-4o integration, will be introduced in September. the iOS 18.1 update expected in October.

Some of the first features users can expect include improved writing tools, suggested replies in Messages, email summaries, and phone call transcription. Additionally, Siri will become smarter and integrate more deeply with your apps to provide contextual responses based on your personal data, such as messages, emails, and calendar entries. Later updates will include creative tools such as Image Playground and custom emoji known as Genmoji.

These AI capabilities will only be available on newer devices, specifically the iPhone 15 or later, or any Apple device equipped with the M1 or M2 chip.

How will this change your iPhone usage?

The gradual rollout of Apple Intelligence means that changes to your iPhone experience will be subtle at first. However, once the features are fully enabled, you should notice a more personalized and efficient experience. For example, you might find the email summary tool useful for managing your inbox on the go, or you might appreciate the ability to transcribe phone conversations with the other party’s permission.

Apple’s AI assistant will also gain the ability to monitor conversations more naturally, remembering previous interactions to provide more relevant answers. A new visual indicator around the Siri icon alerts you when he’s listening, providing more transparency.

However, as with any new technology, there may be some initial problems. Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that while the AI ​​is expected to perform well, there is no guarantee it will be error-free from the start.

How does Siri’s ChatGPT integration differ from the ChatGPT app?

When you use Siri’s ChatGPT integration, Apple acts as a privacy-focused intermediary. Unlike using the ChatGPT app directly, where your queries go directly to OpenAI’s servers, Siri tries to handle requests on your device first. If that’s not possible, some data may be sent to Apple’s servers, but it will be encrypted and anonymized before being passed to ChatGPT.

This extra layer of privacy protection is a key differentiator and ensures that your data is better protected than using ChatGPT directly. Additionally, users can access the GPT-4o powered Siri without having to create an account, although users with a ChatGPT subscription can link their accounts for additional features.

Are your conversations tracked or stored?

Apple has emphasized that privacy is central to Apple Intelligence. Most processing takes place on your device, which means data typically remains on your iPhone. For more complex requests that require cloud processing, Apple will anonymize and encrypt your data before sending it to its servers or to ChatGPT.

Although Apple claims that it does not store requests associated with you, there is always a small risk that very specific searches may be associated with you. To address this, Apple is introducing the Apple Intelligence Report, a feature that provides a detailed overview of how your Siri requests have been processed, ensuring transparency.

Despite these safeguards, the need for AI to access vast amounts of information means that enabling Apple Intelligence will require Apple to have greater access to your personal data, including messages, calendar events, location and photos.

Can you unsubscribe?

Yes, participating in Apple Intelligence is completely optional. The AI ​​features are disabled by default and you must manually enable them in the Settings. This ensures that if you have any concerns about the privacy or usefulness of these new features, you are under no obligation to use them.