Siri Gets a Brain: ChatGPT Powers Up Apple’s AI Assistant

Apple Intelligence: Get Started Guide

Apple Intelligence is now available across a range of top iPhones, iPads, and Macs, bringing exciting AI-powered tools like Writing Assist, Clean-Up, Notification Summaries, and an enhanced Siri.

Just updated to the latest software but can’t find Apple Intelligence? This guide will help you activate Apple Intelligence on a compatible device so you can start exploring Apple’s newest AI-powered features.

Getting Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
To access Apple Intelligence, ensure your device is compatible. Supported models include:

iPhone:
– iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
– iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus
– iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPad:
– 5th-gen M1 iPad Air (2022), 6th-gen M2 iPad Air (2024)
– 5th-gen M1 iPad Pro (2021), 6th-gen M2 iPad Pro (2022)
– 7th-gen M4 iPad Pro (2024), 7th-gen A17 Pro iPad mini (2024)

Mac:
– M1 and M2 MacBook Air (2020-2023), M3 MacBook Air (2024)
– 13-inch Touch Bar M1 and M2 MacBook Pro (2020, 2022)
– 14-inch and 16-inch M1, M2, and M3 MacBook Pro (2021-2023)
– M1 iMac (2021), M3 iMac (2023)
– M1 Mac mini (2020), M2 Mac mini (2023)
– M1 and M2 Mac Studio (2022, 2023), M2 Mac Pro (2023)

Ensure your device is updated to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1.

1. Update Your Device:
– On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
– On Mac: Click the Apple logo > System Settings > Software Update.

2. Enable Apple Intelligence:
– iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, then toggle on Apple Intelligence. You’ll be added to a waitlist, and your device will notify you when Apple Intelligence is ready.
– Mac: Open System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, then click “Turn on Apple Intelligence.” You’ll be added to a waitlist and notified when it’s active.

Note: Apple Intelligence is currently available only in US English. Other languages will be supported soon.

For more on Apple Intelligence’s tools and how they enhance Apple’s devices, check out our feature guide or review of the iPhone 16 Pro to see what’s possible with AI.

Apple Intelligence Arrives Next Week

Siri Gets a Brain: ChatGPT Powers Up Apple’s AI Assistant:  Apple Intelligence is almost here, and Apple has finally confirmed the release window. After hinting at an October launch, the company now states it will arrive next week. The first developer beta of iOS 18.2 is also live as of October 23, bringing a range of new features.

While iOS 18.1 is highly anticipated, iOS 18.2 is expected to generate even more excitement thanks to expanded AI functionalities. Early testers have praised updates like AI-driven tools in the Mail app, which simplify organization, summarization, and inbox cleanup. John-Anthony Disotto of TechRadar highlights the usefulness of these features, though he notes this developer beta may still be unstable and recommends not installing it on your primary device.

Key Updates in iOS 18.1 and 18.2 Developer Beta
Siri Gets a Brain: ChatGPT Powers Up Apple’s AI Assistant- The new Mail AI tools in iOS 18.2 offer smart categorization and design updates, transforming cluttered inboxes into streamlined spaces. Visual Intelligence, an AI-powered feature on the iPhone 16 series, can recognize and translate signs, identify addresses, and more by holding the camera button—showcasing the iPhone 16’s design tailored specifically for Apple Intelligence.

Additional capabilities in iOS 18.2 include Image Wand, which enhances rough Apple Pencil sketches in Notes, and the introduction of Image Playground. This feature lets users create new images from existing photos and save them in a dedicated app that syncs across devices.

Apple Intelligence is accessible via a waitlist. Once iOS 18.1 is released, users can join the waitlist through Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. Wait times have been brief in testing, but demand could increase with the general release. However, joining the waitlist on the iOS 18.1 public beta or release candidate (RC) means users can bypass rejoining once the final version releases.

iOS 18.1 will initially support U.S. English, with broader English options, including the U.K., Australia, and Canada, arriving in iOS 18.2.

Key Features Expected in iOS 18.1 and 18.2:
– Writing Tools: Enhance your text by proofreading, rewriting, or summarizing across apps like Mail, Notes, and Pages.
– Clean-Up Tool in Photos: Remove unwanted objects from photos seamlessly.
– Audio Call Recording and Summarization: Record calls with automatic participant notifications and generate post-call summaries.
– Siri Redesign: Updated look and integration for a more immersive experience.
– Genmoji: Create custom emojis from text prompts.
– ChatGPT Integration: Siri will suggest ChatGPT for relevant queries, with built-in privacy protections.

Apple has confirmed that iOS 18.2 will roll out in December, introducing Genmoji, expanded English support, and enhanced AI tools across the iPhone experience.

Siri Gets Smarter with ChatGPT

Siri Gets a Brain: ChatGPT Powers Up Apple’s AI Assistant-  With the official release of Apple Intelligence only days away, the upcoming iOS 18.2 update—currently available as a developer beta—promises to make Siri significantly more versatile. One of the standout features is the integration of ChatGPT, allowing Siri to handle more complex requests beyond basic web searches. Siri will still default to Google for straightforward queries like “When is the US election?” but more nuanced questions, such as “What cocktails can I make with whiskey and lemon juice?” will prompt ChatGPT for detailed responses.

By default, Siri asks for confirmation before sending a query to ChatGPT, though users can disable this to streamline responses. While the integration expands Siri’s functionality, Apple has ensured user privacy, requiring OpenAI to process requests without storing them or using them to train AI models. For users who sign into their OpenAI accounts, however, requests will be saved in ChatGPT’s history as per OpenAI’s terms.

Siri Gets a Brain: ChatGPT Powers Up Apple’s AI Assistant-  The iOS 18.2 beta also introduces **Visual Intelligence**, accessible on the iPhone 16 series by holding down the camera button. This feature lets users analyze images with ChatGPT or perform a Google Image search, similar to Google Lens. Siri’s capability to identify objects like plants and landmarks is enhanced, and Visual Intelligence can offer descriptions or even cocktail recipes based on a photo of a home bar.

Like other AI chatbots, Siri with ChatGPT is not infallible. Apple provides cautions before each interaction to remind users of possible inaccuracies. While ChatGPT’s responses don’t link to verified sources, they mention the number of sources consulted, offering users a glimpse into the AI’s decision-making.

In iOS 18.1, Siri will get a new visual look and refined language understanding, but the real upgrade begins with iOS 18.2’s ChatGPT capabilities. With Apple’s larger AI plans on the horizon, Siri will eventually be able to take actions in apps—a vision set for 2025. For now, this ChatGPT integration is a promising first step, making Siri a useful tool for more in-depth questions and creative tasks.