Apple Intelligence: Will It Catch Up to the AI Competition?
Apple's foray into the world of AI with Apple Intelligence has been met with mixed reactions. While it represents a step forward for the Apple ecosystem, many observers believe it still lags behind competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft. With WWDC 2025 just around the corner, the pressure is on Apple to unveil significant advancements and demonstrate a clear path forward in the AI race.
One of the key criticisms leveled against Apple Intelligence is its limited feature set compared to what's already available from other companies. As 9to5Mac points out, Apple promised a host of AI features at last year's WWDC, but a year later, the company seems even further behind. The rollout has been described as a "blunder," raising questions about Apple's ability to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
What specific features are Apple missing? Several sources highlight the need for improved personalization. Enhanced personalization, similar to what Samsung offers with Galaxy AI, would allow Apple Intelligence to analyze user habits and activities on-device, providing custom app suggestions and phone settings, all while prioritizing user data encryption and control.
Beyond personalization, the lack of a screen-sharing option, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, is another significant gap. Apple currently offers Visual Intelligence, which allows users to interact with text and objects in front of their camera. However, the addition of screen sharing would enable real-time problem-solving and assistance, allowing users to ask questions about tasks performed on their device screen.
Another area where Apple could learn from its rivals is in the adoption of standards like Anthropic's Model Context Protocol (MCP). MCP facilitates the seamless integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) with external tools and data sources. Implementing a similar protocol would allow Apple Intelligence to interact more effectively with apps like Google Drive, Blender, and other enterprise tools, unlocking new possibilities for AI-powered workflows.
Despite these challenges, Apple's head of software, Craig Federighi, remains optimistic about the future of AI at Apple. He emphasizes the company's commitment to privacy and its deliberate approach to AI development. However, with some AI features reportedly delayed until 2026, the pressure is mounting for Apple to deliver tangible results and demonstrate that its slower approach will ultimately lead to a superior AI experience.
The key to making AI truly useful, as many experts agree, is to integrate it seamlessly into the user's existing workflow rather than requiring them to jump between different apps. Whether Apple can deliver on this promise remains to be seen.
What existing AI features do you think Apple should adopt to level up their game? Do you believe Apple is taking the right approach with Apple Intelligence? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
