At the forefront of technological development, Apple introduces a revamped Siri with iOS 18 through a partnership with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT. This new iteration promises to make interactions with iPhones more intuitive and personalised while raising important questions about data privacy.
Apple Intelligence is the umbrella term for the AI enhancements coming to iPhones with iOS 18. Initially, the iOS 18 update will be available with the launch of the iPhone 16 in September, but the AI features, including ChatGPT-4o integration, will be introduced in the iOS 18.1 update expected in October. Among the first features users can expect are improved writing tools, suggested replies in Messages, email summarisation, and phone call transcription. Siri will become smarter by integrating more deeply with apps to offer contextual responses based on personal data, such as messages, emails, and calendar entries. Later updates will bring creative tools like 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.
The gradual rollout of Apple Intelligence means that changes to the iPhone experience will be subtle at first. However, once the features are fully enabled, users should notice a more personalised and efficient experience. For instance, the email summarisation tool will help manage inboxes on the go, and the ability to transcribe phone calls with the other party’s consent will enhance communication. Siri will also gain the ability to follow conversations more naturally by remembering previous interactions to provide more relevant responses. A new visual indicator around the Siri icon will alert users when it is listening, offering greater transparency. However, initial glitches are possible as acknowledged by Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, who stated that while the AI is expected to perform well, there is no guarantee of flawlessness from the start.
When using Siri’s ChatGPT integration, Apple serves as a privacy-focused intermediary. Unlike the direct use of the ChatGPT app, where queries go straight to OpenAI’s servers, Siri first tries to handle requests on the device. If that is not feasible, some data may be sent to Apple’s servers, but it is encrypted and anonymised before being passed on to ChatGPT. This extra layer of privacy protection is a significant difference, ensuring that user data is better shielded than it would be when using ChatGPT directly. Users can access the GPT-4o powered Siri without needing to create an account, though those with ChatGPT subscriptions can connect their accounts for added features.
Apple has emphasised that privacy is central to Apple Intelligence. Most processing will occur on the device, meaning data typically remains on the iPhone. For more complex requests requiring cloud processing, Apple will anonymise and encrypt data before sending it to its servers or to ChatGPT. While Apple asserts that it will not store requests linked to users, there is always a small risk that highly specific queries could potentially be connected back to individuals. To address this, Apple is introducing the Apple Intelligence Report, a feature that provides a detailed breakdown of how Siri requests were 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 more access to personal data, including messages, calendar events, location, and photos.
Participation in Apple Intelligence is entirely optional. The AI features will be disabled by default, and users will need to enable them manually in the Settings. This ensures that if there are concerns about privacy or the utility of these new features, there is no obligation to use them.
iOS 18’s integration of AI through Apple Intelligence, featuring ChatGPT-powered Siri, promises to enhance the iPhone experience with improved personalisation and efficiency. However, it also necessitates increased access to personal data, raising significant privacy considerations.