Author: Zhu Xueying
Source: Hard AI
When the market was eagerly anticipating Apple's upcoming "AI ace," a product rumored to be called "Project Greymatter" seems to have poured cold water on everyone.
This week, according to media reports, Apple is set to unveil a new set of AI tools at the 35th Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC24) next month, under the project name Project Greymatter, primarily targeting core applications like Safari, Photos, Notes, and some operating system functions.
However, Project Greymatter is not a completely new artificial intelligence product; it is more aimed at enhancing the functionalities of various applications. The rumored top ten features include:
It is worth noting that, seemingly to manage user expectations better, some media outlets suggest that Apple might initially release the above new AI tools in a "preview" form in the beta version of iOS 18. This indicates that these AI technologies are still being refined before the official release, expected around September this year.
So why is Apple in a rush to introduce new AI features at WWDC24 in June? It could be because competitors' recent moves have pushed Apple to act urgently.
However, the question remains: Can Project Greymatter, which adds to existing functionalities, meet investors' high expectations?
Competitors are making bold moves, and Apple has to keep up
In the past three weeks, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google have all held various AI events, showcasing significant advancements in AI technology. Even during Apple's earnings call on May 2, Apple CEO Tim Cook remained vague about the company's AI strategy, only mentioning the "huge opportunity for generative AI in Apple products" and promising Apple's advantageous position in the field of artificial intelligence.
This has only fueled investors' desire for more AI details from Apple.
Therefore, for Apple, to solidify investor confidence, AI is a topic that cannot be avoided at the upcoming WWDC event. Dan Ives, Managing Director at Wedbush Securities, stated that this event is the "most anticipated event for Apple in the last decade."
Currently, the market seems somewhat dissatisfied with Apple's slow progress in the AI field. However, some believe that Apple, being Apple, retains an advantage in the AI arms race.
Gene Munster, Co-Founder of investment firm Deepwater, mentioned that Apple's existing product line may help consumers continue choosing Apple products over competitors'. He highlighted that the seamless integration between Apple devices and the company's focus on privacy are crucial advantages for Apple in the race for the top spot in the AI field.
Investment analyst Kerwin from Morningstar also holds a positive view on Apple:
