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Apple is working on major updates to its Xcode programming software that will integrate new artificial intelligence capabilities to compete with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, according to a Bloomberg report that cited people familiar with the plans.
The new version of Xcode, scheduled for release later this year, will feature AI code completion tools that suggest entire blocks of code to simplify and speed up programming, similar to GitHub Copilot’s technology. Apple engineers are already testing early versions of the AI coding assistant to prepare it for third-party developers.
The AI coding features are part of Apple’s broader push toward generative AI and large language models that has intensified over the past year. The company is racing to add new AI capabilities into its products and services to catch up with peers like Microsoft and Google.
At its annual developer conference in June, Apple plans to outline its ambitions to integrate more artificial intelligence technology. Both the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS updates, codenamed Crystal and Glow, will introduce several AI-powered features.
For iOS 18, Apple intends to promote the software as one of the biggest iPhone updates ever. The update is likely to include artificial intelligence features that automate mundane programming tasks, such as generating test code.
The company has explored artificial intelligence tools to automatically generate Apple Music playlists based on listener preferences and create dynamic slideshows in Keynote, its PowerPoint alternative.
Another major AI overhaul in the works is an update to Spotlight’s system-wide search. The current Spotlight function is mainly used to launch applications and search for basic information such as weather and sports scores.
The updated Spotlight aims to understand and answer more complex search queries by leveraging device data and artificial intelligence models. Early designs show Spotlight results by answering questions in natural language and displaying app-specific information and features.
By leveraging large language models trained on vast data sets, AI-enhanced Spotlight could become a more versatile search tool to surface relevant content and actions across all Apple devices.
The wave of AI activity is being driven from the top down. Apple software chief Craig Federighi has reportedly urged teams to incorporate as many AI capabilities as possible into 2024 software updates.
While Microsoft, Google and others are making rapid progress on big language models and generative AI, Apple is feeling the pressure to catch up in areas like intelligent search, content creation, programming assistants and personalization.
Although details remain limited, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference will offer the first look at its vision for AI.
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First uploaded on: 16-02-2024 at 18:37 IST