As we approach Apple’s flagship event, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), we are hearing murmurs that Apple’s highly anticipated AI breakthroughs may not be making an appearance this year. It’s rumored that the tech giant is taking a “gap year” from major AI reveals, with plans to make a bigger splash in 2026. This, undoubtedly, widens the gap between Apple and its AI competitors, who are not expected to be as patient.
The upcoming WWDC seems set to disappoint those hoping for a major AI reveal. According to the latest buzz, Apple plans to open its 3B parameter models to developers, which would enable custom AI features in third-party apps. However, these features are expected to have limited capabilities compared to those of rival companies.
Furthermore, the company is said to be planning to rebrand existing features as “AI-powered”, in an attempt to shift perception. Major AI projects, like the LLM-powered Siri overhaul, health-focused Project Mulberry, and a ChatGPT competitor with web search, are reportedly still in the works.
This state of affairs puts Apple in a tricky position. With skyrocketing expectations and a rapidly growing competition, the company faces the challenge of making significant progress on the AI front. A “gap year” might be necessary for Apple to come up with a product that can meet user expectations, but it’s clear that the AI leaders won’t be taking a break during this time.
In other news, music giants Universal, Warner, and Sony are reportedly discussing licensing deals with AI music leaders Udio and Suno. This could potentially bring an end to billion-dollar lawsuits and establish standards for compensating artists whose work is used in AI training.
In a testament to the continually evolving capabilities of AI, researchers from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern have found that AI systems like ChatGPT outperform humans on emotional intelligence tests. This suggests that AI may be better at reading emotions and responding appropriately than people. While AI can’t actually feel emotions, its ability to mimic and optimally display emotional intelligence in difficult situations could be valuable in various fields like mental health support, customer service, and education.
Lastly, OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap shared that the company is working on hardware devices that will be “ambient” systems designed for more personal real-world experiences. This comes as Anthropic, another AI company, reportedly hit $3B in annualized revenue, tripling from $1B in December 2024, driven by enterprise demand for its code generation capabilities.
Overall, Apple’s rumored “gap year” in AI is a significant development in the tech industry. It will be interesting to observe how the company manages to meet sky-high expectations in the face of fierce competition. Meanwhile, AI’s continued evolution and integration across various industries underscore its potential and the opportunities it presents for future innovation. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the world of AI.
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