When iOS 27 arrives later this year, iPhone users will reportedly get a lot of say in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) models they want to use directly on their devices. This news comes from a new report by Bloomberg.
Apple plans to give users the ability to choose from several third-party large language models. These models will power various functions within the iPhone’s operating system. This new feature, internally called “Extensions,” will allow users to “access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more,” according to a message reportedly seen in test versions of the software.
The report also states that this new capability will extend to iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. It adds that models from Google and Anthropic are currently undergoing testing. The situation with ChatGPT is less clear, but since it’s already available to users, it implies it will likely remain an option.
With long-time CEO Tim Cook soon stepping down, Apple’s incoming top executive, John Ternus, faces the big task of guiding the company’s future, including its AI strategy. Many people feel that Apple is “behind” in the AI race because it isn’t launching as many new AI services as some other tech companies.
Despite this perception, Apple is still making a good amount of money from AI-based services. The company’s strategy isn’t primarily about spending huge sums to build new AI infrastructure and services. Instead, it focuses on transforming its existing hardware into an AI-centered experience for its users, leveraging the devices they already own. This approach aims to integrate AI deeply into the user experience, making the most of Apple’s powerful hardware ecosystem.
