iPhone users are gearing up for a significant update to Apple’s Siri digital assistant, which will soon enable sending and deleting emails using voice commands.
This update is part of a broader rollout of new artificial intelligence (AI) features for Apple’s iOS smartphone operating system, as the company aims to compete with Google’s advanced AI tools.
Apple is reportedly set to announce a collaboration with OpenAI to enhance Siri’s intelligence and functionality. The voice assistant, which debuted over a decade ago, will soon control more app features, including sending and deleting emails and generating AI-driven “smart replies”, according to AppleInsider.
In addition to email enhancements, Apple plans to introduce new AI tools in its Photos app, including a “Clean Up” tool that uses AI to remove unwanted objects or blemishes from photos. The Notes app is also expected to get a revamp with features that enable voice transcriptions and summaries.
Apple is branding its new AI offerings as “Apple Intelligence”, according to Bloomberg. Among other updates, the tech giant plans to introduce AI-generated emojis.
Since Siri’s launch as a “humble personal assistant” in 2011, it has not achieved the widespread popularity Apple had hoped for. Currently, users predominantly rely on Siri for simple tasks such as dictating text messages or checking the weather, rather than as a comprehensive digital assistant.
In contrast, over the past two years, rivals like Microsoft and Google have advanced their digital assistants significantly, especially with the integration of chatbots like ChatGPT. These AI-driven tools are increasingly being integrated into smartphones with voice and video capabilities.
Apple’s anticipated deal with OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, aims to make Siri more conversational and capable. The company hopes that these enhancements will boost smartphone sales, which have recently experienced their sharpest decline in three years.
The new updates to Apple’s iOS software will be disclosed at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California at 6pm. These advancements are expected to mark a significant step forward in Apple’s AI capabilities, offering users more sophisticated and intuitive digital assistant features.
