While the big and small players are lining up to compete in the emerging world in which artificial intelligence touches every nook and cranny, Apple finally announces its plan – and the company has proven that it is relying on its uniqueness to create a product that would be difficult – or even impossible – for others to create.

Dubbed Apple Intelligence, the types of things it does and the way it is architected takes advantage of what may be Apple’s biggest strength: it controls devices for desktop, home and mobile.

While OpenAI has done a great job of emerging against bigger, more entrench competitors to take an early lead in the AI space, and while Microsoft and Google integrate AI into their respective leading applications, Apple changes the game completely – by creating a level of personalization and broad use that none of the others has yet created.

AI architects will tell you that there are some parts of the process that are better done centrally on the cloud and others that are better done on the “edge”, meaning right on the device that is closest to the user.  With the structure it has built over the past 20 years, Apple can not only be leader on the cloud part; but it can also move the right parts of AI to the edge – no matter where its users are, because they can leverage iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch and Macs into just about every situation that might be looking for a personal AI.

Most importantly by leveraging the devices, they can create a more personal experience and create a more secure environment.  Google can do it on phones with Android; Microsoft can do it on the desktop.  But only Apple can be ubiquitous, thus being your best friend in AI.

Obviously it won’t be a perfect experience; but the company has already teamed with OpenAI to supplement it their Apple Intelligence AI with ChatGPT, and they have made it clear that they plan on giving access to other partners’ AI too.

This is a clear AI to keep your eye on, as Apple may again emerge the winner.

More info about Apple Intelligence and Apple’s latest product releases

• Apple Intelligence Revealed (source: Tom’s Guide)
• Your phone functions after battery dies (source: Forbes)
• Which iPhones support iOS 18? (source: Mashable)