iOS 18 will bring new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and prioritize on-device AI over cloud server-based AI, reveals a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Gurman said initial iOS 18 features solely rely on on-device AI capabilities, he said in the Q&A section of his weekly newsletter “Power On”. This move suggests that the new iOS version would not use a cloud processing component for large language models (LLM).
Cloud-based AI provides vast data processing power with its large hardware and software setup. This enables even complex processes to be completed in a short amount of time with accuracy.
On-device AI takes power from the chipset’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Smartphones only bring one AI chip solution, which is inferior to cloud computing. However, on-device AI has sufficient processing for mobile-specific models.
One major advantage of on-device processing is that users won’t require an internet connection. All of the computing will happen on the phone in real time.
Another aspect of prioritizing on-device AI for Apple would be related to the privacy because all of the user data would remain saved locally in the device.
Haitong International Tech Researcher Jeff Pu previously reported that the iPhone 16 series will come with on-device AI features. Pu also mentioned that the A18 Pro chip will provide sufficient processing power to support this capability. These two products launch later this year.
Gurman also revealed that the company will upgrade its native apps with AI features. That includes Siri, Safari, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote and others.
iOS 18 could make the spotlight search smarter to provide various results in searches including the ones from the web, apps, file explorer, and suggestions.
There are reports that Google and OpenAI are in talks with Apple to provide their cloud-based LLM services for iOS 18. However, none of this information has been confirmed officially.
iOS 18 will launch at the annual WWDC24 on June 10.