Apple's WWDC Spotlight on AI Achievements and Strategy Attracts Attention

Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to commence at 1 AM Taiwan time on June 11 (10 AM PDT on June 10). This annual event by the American tech giant is highly anticipated, particularly for how it will showcase its AI achievements and strategy.

It is expected that Apple will introduce various enhancements to its operating systems, as this has always been the purpose of the WWDC. However, a critical topic for today's tech industry is the development plans in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Facing a trillion-dollar market opportunity, Apple has yet to disclose its strategy.

According to Barron's, this year's WWDC has ample reason to focus extensively on AI. This is in light of Apple's stock recently performing lacklusterly, reflecting the company's minimal substantial progress in generative AI, a crucial tech development in decades.

Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Apple would introduce a new AI operating system named "Apple Intelligence," aptly abbreviated as AI, at the WWDC. New devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac are expected to adopt this new system. There will also be a ChatGPT-like chatbot, developed in collaboration with OpenAI. Moreover, new software for MR headsets like Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and the Apple TV platform will be unveiled.

Traditionally, Apple does not detail the new iPhone models slated for autumn release at the WWDC. However, as the flagship product, the market expects AI to be a key selling point of this year's new iPhones. Analysts note that the new iPhone will be capable of processing AI algorithms directly on the device's hardware. Siri, the 12-year-old voice assistant, is anticipated to receive significant AI upgrades. Apple's developer tool, Xcode, is also expected to integrate extensively with AI features.

As for whether the AI-capable new iPhone will boost sales, many analysts are optimistic. Drawing from history, where 5G technology previously enhanced iPhone sales, they predict a potential "super cycle" in iPhone sales. According to research firm Visible Alpha, analyst consensus suggests that by September 2025, new iPhone sales could surge by 9% to 242 million units.