Apple will reveal more Apple Intelligence features than ever before during WWDC, but they will continue to stay out of the user's way. Those that don't want AI can just ignore it or turn it off.
We're only a few weeks away from WWDC 2026, so the internal leaks have begun in earnest. While I'm sure Apple Intelligence and AI will play a major role at the event, I also expect Apple to respect its user base.
Unless something dramatic has changed at Apple, and no, I'm not talking about a CEO transition, I doubt Apple's stance on AI has shifted. Ever since its first big AI event at WWDC 2024, Apple has made it clear that it views AI as a tool that should be in the background and on device.
Of course, Apple did want to emphasize that it had AI at all, so that's where the rainbow Siri interface and various elements in features like Writing Tools came from. This approach is what earned Apple the "behind" label from pundits.
That label carries a lot of weight, especially when it isn't properly defined. Apple definitely doesn't have a competitive tool for image or video generation, nor does it have a chatbot. It also doesn't have a can opener on the iPhone, so I could also say Apple is behind in that department as well.
The reality is that Apple's hardware ecosystem is above and beyond what most other companies are offering in the AI space today. If rumors are correct about what is coming in iOS 27, Apple will be a powerhouse in the space that can't be ignored.
But the AI itself? It can be ignored.
It'll be there, but not in your face
AI is and should have always been treated as a background task that users have no business knowing about or interacting with directly. Imagine if the industry had the same reaction to the first successful machine learning decision tree.
Sure, the Photos editing tools will get some new AI features like extending beyond the frame, changing the perspective of a Spatial Photo, or an AI-powered enhance tool. Most iPhone users don't even open the edit pane or even know that it is there, but know that some of the tools will have an AI backend with iOS 27.
Visual Intelligence is apparently moving to the Camera app as a toggle. I'm willing to bet that the toggle can be hidden, especially since the feature can still be launched by long-pressing Camera Control. Either way, don't want it? Don't use it.
Siri is being revamped with a new backend powered by Apple Foundation Models, but users don't need to know that. They'll still be able to play music, set timers, or make calls with the assistant as usual. Those that want to can go further by entering into longer chatbot-like conversations, but it isn't a requirement.
I could go on, but I believe I've made my point.
Apple is the only company doing AI right. It is a background tool that can do some very interesting things, but it isn't meant to be the product itself.
Apple doesn't need AI to succeed
What is most interesting about Apple's place in the AI race is that it has proven it doesn't need AI at all. The iPhone's growing popularity is the key indicator. So, seeing Apple slowly grow its AI feature set even if it doesn't really need it is very interesting.
Apple's position in the AI race may soon become irrelevant as it hosts all of its rivals
If anything, AI needs Apple to succeed.
One of the more significant features of iOS 27, that yes, can still be ignored, will be the ability to call out to any third-party tool. For example, if a user wants to have a query go through Claude, it could designate the Claude app as an endpoint. Anthropic would support this action through an API.
It means that Apple Foundation Models powering Apple Intelligence could drive on-device functions and Private Cloud Compute, but where needed, users could choose to target other models on their own. This would also mean not needing some kind of partnership with other companies like OpenAI to pull it off.
While I wish we had some of these AI features to play with today, I'm excited for what the summer beta cycle might provide. WWDC 2026 is nearly a month away, so we don't have long to wait.
