According to a CNBC report on February 28, Apple hinted at its future plans related to generative artificial intelligence (AI) at its recent shareholder meeting.
Cook said during the call:
“Later this year, we look forward to sharing with you how we are pioneering new horizons in generative AI, another technology we believe can redefine the future.”
Cook explained that Apple sees the “incredible groundbreaking potential” of generative AI and is investing heavily in the field. He added that generative AI can create innovative opportunities for users by improving productivity and problem-solving, among other things.
user device
Cook said some Apple services are already using AI, including hand tracking tools on the Vision Pro VR headset, heart rate notifications on Apple Watch, and automatic emergency calling on iPhone. Cook made similar comments in August 2023, saying AI is part of “almost every product.”
Unlike certain cloud-based AI services, Apple’s AI service may partially rely on the user’s computer, according to a separate report from Reuters. Cook said:
“Every Mac powered by Apple Silicon is an incredibly capable AI machine. There is no better computer for AI on the market today.”
Apple has yet to publicly announce any new AI features, but a February 15 report from Bloomberg says the company is developing a feature for its Xcode development software that will compete with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot. Both tools use AI to predict and complete code.
Other possible features include AI-generated music playlists, Keynote slideshows, AI-powered Spotlight search tools, and more.
Meanwhile, a separate Bloomberg report said Apple would cancel its decade-old electric vehicle program and shift some employees to AI development.
AI risk disclosure plan rejected
Bloomberg also reported that Apple shareholders rejected a proposal that would have required the company to produce a transparency report focused on the ethical use of AI.
The proposal aimed to get Apple to share information on a number of social policy issues related to AI, including the potential for biased decisions about employees, privacy violations for customers, and the risk of layoffs due to automation.
The AFL-CIO Equity Index Funds, which proposed a plan to go public, has also made similar requests to other companies, including Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. The group also expressed concerns about using intellectual property to train AI.