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apple It released software updates for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on Wednesday that include the long-awaited ChatGPT integration with Siri.
The ChatGPT integration is triggered when users ask Siri complex questions. When Siri is asked whether Apple's software is more suitable for ChatGPT, it asks the user for permission to access the OpenAI service. Apple says it has built privacy protection into the feature, and that OpenAI will not store requests. The integration uses OpenAI's GPT-4o model.
Apple users do not need an OpenAI account to take advantage of the ChatGPT integration, but users can pay for updated versions of ChatGPT through Apple. Users can also access ChatGPT through some text menus.
The release of iOS 18.2 is a critical milestone for Apple, which is relying on Apple Intelligence to drive the marketing campaign for the iPhone 16 range. Apple Intelligence is the set of artificial intelligence features offered by the company. Apple first announced ChatGPT integration in June.
Apple released the first part of Apple Intelligence in October. These features included writing tools that can proofread or retype text, a new Siri design that makes the entire phone screen glow, and notification summaries.
The company says it will release another update to Apple Intelligence next year that includes major improvements to Siri, including the ability to take actions within apps.
Many investors believe that as Apple Intelligence adds features, it will boost iPhone sales, drive an upgrade cycle and potentially strengthen Apple's position as a leader in consumer-oriented AI.
The integration is also a huge win for OpenAI as it puts its most important product in front of millions of iPhone users. Neither Apple nor OpenAI disclosed the financial terms of the arrangement.
Users need an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, or any iPhone 16 model to install and use Apple Intelligence, although ChatGPT integration primarily uses cloud servers. iPhone owners can turn on software updates in the General section of the Settings app.
After updating to the latest Apple software, users who haven't yet activated Apple Intelligence can sign up for a waitlist within the Settings app. Users usually get access to the software on the same day. Their phones will need to download large files, including Apple's AI models, that the service needs to run.
Wednesday's updates also include Apple's photo creation app, called Playground, which can create photos based on people or prompts, and Image Wand, a feature that lets users remove objects or blemishes from photographs.
