Apple has enabled its generative AI platform, Apple Intelligence, by default on compatible devices. The feature, however, remains in beta and is currently available only in select English-speaking regions.
With the latest updates, Apple Intelligence is automatically activated during device onboarding for eligible devices, including iPhone and iPad models released in 2023 and 2024. This eliminates the need for manual activation, granting users immediate access to AI-driven tools such as text rewriting, image generation, and email summarization. To disable the feature, users can navigate to the Apple Intelligence & Siri settings.
“For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding,” Apple confirmed in its developer release notes.
Automatic activation and privacy features
The AI platform enhances functionality across Apple’s ecosystem. Writing Tools now support proofreading, summarisation, and rewriting across apps. Updates to the Photos app include a ‘Clean Up’ tool for removing background elements and a Memories feature to create custom movies using descriptive input. Enhanced audio tools allow users to record, transcribe, and summarise audio files in the Notes and Phone apps, with automatic notifications for recorded calls. Siri has also been updated with a glowing-edge interface on iPhones, iPads, and CarPlay, alongside improved language understanding and context retention.
One of the most notable changes in this update is the removal of AI-generated summaries in news apps. This decision follows widespread criticism over the accuracy of the feature, which has led to several instances of misinformation.
Earlier this month, Apple Intelligence generated an inaccurate notification based on content from the BBC’s sports app. The notification incorrectly claimed, “Brazilian tennis player, Rafael Nadal, comes out as gay.” The statement contained multiple errors, as Nadal is not Brazilian but Spanish and is married to Maria Francisca Perello. This incident drew criticism for the AI platform’s tendency to misinterpret and distort information, prompting further scrutiny of Apple Intelligence’s summarisation capabilities.
Apple has since introduced measures to increase transparency for AI-generated notifications. Notifications produced by Apple Intelligence now appear in italics to differentiate them from standard app-generated notifications. While the summarisation feature for news apps has been temporarily paused, Apple has stated that it will return in a future update after further refinement.
“We’re pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarisation feature for news,” a BBC spokesperson told CNBC.
The update also addresses several technical issues. These include persistent HealthKit data authorisation problems, compatibility challenges for third-party apps using the Writing Tools API, and glitches in the Genmoji personalisation feature. Apple Intelligence’s notification summaries have also been optimised to strike a balance between simplifying content and avoiding inaccuracies.
Apple’s decision to enable Apple Intelligence by default reflects its broader strategy to integrate AI capabilities across its ecosystem. Previously, users were required to manually download AI models and activate the feature during setup. With this update, the process is now seamless, significantly expanding user access to the software.
Read more: Apple announces new AI system Apple Intelligence in partnership with OpenAI
