iOS 18 tipped to unleash powerful generative AI to fight ChatGPT

Siri
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

With Apple's latest iOS 17 update going live last month, the company has already started working on its upcoming iOS 18 update for next year. And with it, we could see Apple debut its long-rumored ChatGPT rival for all of its best iPhones, if the latest leaks are to be believed. 

According to MacRumors, a new research note this week from industry analyst Jeff Pu, who covers Apple's supply chain for Haitong International Securities, suggests we could see the company's AI-powered chatbot launch as soon as late 2024.  Pu said his sources within the supply chain informed him Apple plans to build a few hundred AI servers in 2023, with even more expected by this time next year. With that timeline, generative AI features could feasibly make it into iOS 18 and the iPhone 16 when they launch later in 2024, which is much sooner than expected.

An earlier report revealed that Apple started testing what staff were internally referring to as Apple GPT as early as July. Pu believes the company will offer both cloud-based AI and so-called "edge AI," which involves more on-device data processing in a way that safeguards user privacy, MacRumors reports. 

Before you get too excited though, Pu cautioned that we'll need to be patient with Apple's AI rollout, as the company is carefully considering how to use and process personal data to avoid the same privacy pitfalls that have plagued AI-powered tech in recent months. And that, of course, will no doubt take time.

One of the most significant applications for these generative AI features could be coming to Siri. Last month, The Information reported Apple's plans to incorporate large language models into its virtual assistant to enable users to automate multi-step tasks with voice commands. For example, with a single voice command, Siri could take a series of photos and turn them into a GIF, then send that GIF to one of your contacts. The outlet claimed this feature is expected to come to iPhones via a software update sometime next year, which also hints at an iOS 18 launch. 

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Alyse Stanley
News Editor

Alyse Stanley is a news editor at Tom’s Guide overseeing weekend coverage and writing about the latest in tech, gaming, and entertainment.Prior to joining Tom’s Guide, Alyse worked as an editor for the Washington Post’s sunsetted video game section, Launcher. She previously led Gizmodo’s weekend news desk and has written game reviews and features for outlets like Polygon, Unwinnable, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. She’s a big fan of horror movies, cartoons, and roller skating.

Read more
iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand
iOS 19 may bring Apple Intelligence powers to more iPhone apps — but without any big new features
iOS 18 logo on iPhone in person's lap
iOS 18.5 is coming soon with huge Siri upgrades — here’s everything to expect
iOS 18 logo on an iPhone 15 Pro
iOS 18.4 tipped to launch soon with these game changing Siri upgrades
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 — all the biggest rumors so far
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone
Apple Intelligence logo on iPhone
Apple confirms Siri 2.0 is delayed — 'it’s going to take us longer than we thought'
Latest in AI
Google Gemini and a pair of robotic hands
Google is putting it's Gemini 2.0 AI into robots — here's how it's going
Apple Intelligence on an iPhone screen
I’ve been using Apple Intelligence for 3 months — here are 5 features I use every day
Apple Intelligence logo on iPhone
Apple Intelligence — everything you need to know about Apple's AI
Manus AI logo on smartphone screen
How to join Manus — the new AI assistant everyone is talking about
Manus logo on phone next to AI
Manus AI is the new challenger to DeepSeek — everything you need to know
A photo of the Samsung Galaxy S24 in hand with the Circle to Search feature in use. The circle is half drawn.
Google's next big Circle to Search upgrade could involve automatic translation — here's what we know
Latest in News
Try Galaxy home screen on iPhone 16 Pro Max
You can now try Samsung's latest One UI 7 software on your iPhone — here's how
Asus ROG Ally X
Xbox handheld reportedly being made with Asus — all to take on Steam Deck
A person typing on a laptop with warning messages displayed on screen
240 million Windows users under attack — update your PC now before hackers strike
Genshin Impact on a OnePlus Nord 4
Genshin Impact on Android finally adds controller support — 4 years after iOS
A render of the iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max just tipped for this performance secret weapon
Google Play logo on an android smartphone with corner hole punch camera
At least 5 North Korean spy apps have been found on Google Play — what you need to know