What will Apple’s AI lineup look like at WWDC 2024? The tech giant’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with its focus on generative AI and iOS 18 should stream tomorrow at 8pm (Cairo local time) until Friday, 14 June. Unlike last year’s reveal of the Vision Pro headset — which is getting new software — the focus this year seems to be on the new generative AI system, Apple Intelligence, and its role in future iOS updates, reports TechCrunch.

Sound smart: The WWDC is an annual event where Apple unveils upcoming updates for developers. While keynotes sometimes feature hardware reveals, the primary purpose is showcasing software advancements.

Why the fuss over generative AI during this event? The word going round is that it could revolutionize user experiences: Things such as creating new content, editing photos, or summarizing information can be done seamlessly. Apple is likely feeling pressure to compete with advancements by Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s Chat GPT — but there could be a potential partnership with OpenAI, to implement their tools.

Apple is focusing on functionality rather than gimmicks — a.k.a making everyday tasks easier. Siri is expected to receive a major upgrade, allowing it to handle tasks like editing photos and managing emails. AI will also be integrated into other features like Safari search, Notes summarization, and Voice Memo transcription.

More personalization. iOS 18 might offer options to personalize emojis and potentially customize your home screen layout more freely. Additionally, the tech giant might finally introduce support for RCS messaging, a move that would improve communication between iPhone and Android users. While iOS takes the spotlight, macOS 15 is also expected to be unveiled, potentially receiving similar AI-powered features and a design refresh for System Settings and accessibility improvements.

They’re also making a surprise move towards the cloud for their new AI system: Eyebrows will be raised, considering Apple’s past spats with cloud-reliant competitors, Bloomberg reports. They’re still promising top-notch security in their data centers, zero-use profiling based on your data, and even reports proving that your information is safe and sound. On-device processing will remain to be their cash cow.

You don’t have to opt-in on these new features if you don’t want to and will be releasing it as a beta version. But if you were to process the new AI features you’d have to upgrade to an iPhone 15 Pro (unreleased yet) or buy one of the new Apple models coming out this year. As for the tablets and computers, they need an M1 chip.

There’s also hardware talk on the horizon: The new health features likely foreshadow upgraded Apple Watches expected this fall, and the AirPods enhancements hint at multiple new models coming soon. But the AI features should pave the way for new drops of iPhones and Macs with upgraded chips.

You can join the livestream of the event here.

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