While it’s sort of a generic rule of the universe that Apple sometimes makes acquisitions and staff hires to cultivate new technologies, the company has been quietly making a series of artificial intelligence-related purchases in a bid to bring on-device AI to its next-generation iPhones,
According to the Financial Times, indications suggest Apple has been focusing on “tackling the technological problem of running AI through mobile devices.” Apple has recently acquired several AI-related startups, the last one occurring early last year when it purchased California-based WaveOne, which offers AI-powered video compression.
Per a recent research note from Morgan Stanley, almost half of Apple’s AI job posts have included the term “Deep learning,” which relates to the algorithms used to power generative AI.
Previous reports have also suggested that Apple has been testing its “Ajax” large language model (LLM) since early 2023, but in contrast to LLMs like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Apple’s primary goal is to develop generative AI that works locally on-device, rather than being powered by cloud services in data centers.
The current R&D challenge involves optimizing the LLM while reducing its size, complete with factoring in heavier reliance on high-performance mobile hardware and faster Apple silicon chips.
As of December 2023, Apple AI researchers said they have made a key breakthrough in deploying large language models (LLMs) on iPhones and other Apple devices with limited memory by inventing an innovative flash memory utilization technique.
Apple is also said to be on schedule to announce a series of generative AI-based tools at WWDC in June, alongside its iOS 18 preview. Morgan Stanley analysts have offered opinions that the mobile software will be geared towards enabling generative AI and could include its voice assistant Siri being powered by an LLM.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors and Financial Times