Apple's Secretive AI Strategy: Building On-Device Powerhouse

TLDR; Apple's secretive AI strategy involves on-device neural engines for privacy, strategic AI acquisitions, and building a massive machine learning platform using their devices.

⚙️ Apple's AI Strategy

Apple's master plan revolves around the 'neural engine,' a dedicated set of circuits in their in-house designed Arm-based processors called Apple silicon.

The neural engine is designed specifically for machine learning in AI applications, powering features like Face ID, Siri, and on-device processing for various applications.

By performing AI calculations on the device itself, Apple ensures high privacy levels for its users, in contrast to many other companies that perform these calculations in the cloud, potentially raising privacy concerns.

Integrating neural engines directly into their chips allows Apple to optimize performance and power consumption, which is not possible for companies relying on third-party chips.

⚖️ Federated Learning

Apple's on-device AI capabilities support Federated Learning, a method where the model learns from decentralized data across numerous devices while maintaining user privacy.

This approach allows Apple to continuously improve their AI models with real-world data without actually seeing the data, although it may be slower than other training methods.

Apple's focus on privacy, speed, and Federated Learning has led Google to start making their own chips for on-device AI.

🌐 AI Acquisitions

Apple has been strategically acquiring AI startups and hiring top AI researchers, indicating a significant investment in AI technology.

One example is the acquisition of Xnor, whose technology focuses on efficient AI, aligning with Apple's focus on on-device processing.

Additionally, Apple previously acquired Spectral, a Danish computer vision startup, and their AI is being used to enhance image and video quality on the iPhone and Apple TV Plus.

⚡ Massive Machine Learning Platform

With millions of devices in use, Apple has an unprecedented platform for deploying AI technology, essentially building a gigantic machine learning platform with every device they sell.

Similar to how Tesla uses their customers' cars to continually train their AI models for self-driving, Apple's massive device network positions them as a major player in the AI space.

⏳ Future of Siri

Apple's AI plans may lead to a more powerful, efficient, and private AI capabilities for users, positioning Apple as a major player in the AI space for many years to come.

The delay in progress of Siri may indicate that Apple aims for it to be not just good, but great, leveraging their extensive device network to potentially surpass what's available on other platforms.