Experts Predict Apple AI Will Be Bound to iPhone

While the major generative AI service providers depend on the cloud to power their large language models, Apple will approach the matter in a different way with the next version of its mobile operating system, which is set to be revealed in June.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his weekly newsletter published Sunday, predicted that the AI features planned for iOS 18 will be performed on the iPhone and not in the cloud.

In February, Gurman reported that iOS 18 would be full of AI features. Apple is training both Siri and the iPhone’s Spotlight search tool on large language models to answer more complex questions accurately.

Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in San Jose, Calif., cited some benefits associated with running generative AI solely on a device.

According to him, it provides consumers with enhanced privacy, sensitive data can be processed locally without needing to be transmitted over the internet. On-device AI enables offline functionality, ensuring uninterrupted service even in areas with poor or no connectivity. With reduced dependence on internet access, consumers experience greater reliability in AI-powered features. Local processing contributes to improved device battery life and allows for customization and personalization tailored to individual preferences without relying on centralized data storage.

Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst at the Enderle Group, an advisory services firm in Bend, Ore, predicts that battery life could become a problem for Apple.

AI consumes lots of power and needs to run all the time. On-device processing requires intimate knowledge of both the AI to tune hardware and hardware technology like NPUs or neural processing units to allow the battery-powered device to have sufficient battery life.

At this point, experts can’t say which older iPhone models will be able to handle the AI features in the upcoming mobile operating system. Most likely, the iOS 18 AI version will require newer phones with higher AI dedicated processors, they say.

Some features could be unlocked for more recent iPhone models with neural engines on their chips, but most likely, the biggest functionality will be attained on a new device. Older devices might not have the same level of hardware capabilities as newer models, but Apple’s optimization efforts could still enable AI functions to some extent.

Historically, Apple usually allows a generation or two of previous devices to upgrade to the latest operating system, so if AI is part of the operating system, previous generations may be able to tap into most, if not all, the new capabilities.

Bloomberg’s Gurman also predicted that Apple would probably offer some cloud-based AI features powered through partnerships with an AI provider. Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Apple is in discussions with Google, OpenAI, and China’s Baidu about potential generative AI partnerships.