Apple believes it’s two years behind in AI development, according to internal sources

According to reports from Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, some Apple employees believe the company is approximately two years behind leading competitors in artificial intelligence development.

While Apple introduced its first wave of AI-powered features at WWDC 2024, such as AI-enhanced Siri and new tools like Image Playground and Genmoji, internal studies reveal a significant knowledge gap between Apple’s AI and industry leaders like OpenAI.

Apple has partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its ecosystem, aiming to close this gap. The GPT-4o model will support iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, allowing users to access more comprehensive AI-powered assistance through Siri and writing tools. Gurman reports that ChatGPT is around 25% more accurate than Siri, answering 30% more questions.

Apple’s AI strategy relies on on-device models that require high-performing hardware, such as the A17 or M1 chips with at least 8GB of memory. However, this approach limits the complexity of the AI models compared to cloud-based alternatives.

Despite being behind in AI, Apple has a history of catching up in fields where it lags, such as Apple Maps. Gurman suggests that Apple will close the gap, either through internal development, hiring, or acquisitions. By 2026, the company’s Apple Intelligence is expected to run across all devices, including the iPhone SE and entry-level iPads.