Apple activates AI by default in latest iOS 18.3 software update

Apple released Monday a software update for iPhones, iPads, and Macs that enables Apple Intelligence by default for users with supported devices.

The updates include iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 and also disable AI-generated summaries for news apps, which have been criticized for distorting news push notifications and presenting inaccurate information.

This release marks a significant step in the rollout of Apple Intelligence, a suite of artificial intelligence features designed to differentiate Apple products from competitors.

Despite being featured in marketing, the rollout has been cautious and limited to ensure thorough testing and adequate server capacity.

Currently, the entire suite remains in beta and is available only in select English-speaking countries.

With this update, Apple Intelligence will automatically be activated for users setting up supported iPhones—specifically models released in 2024 and the 2023 “Pro” models.

Previously, users had to manually enable this feature during the setup process, which involved downloading AI models.

Now, Apple aims to broaden exposure to the feature by turning it on by default with the latest software installation.

Apple Intelligence boasts capabilities such as rewriting text, generating images, and summarizing lengthy emails and message threads.

For users upgrading to iOS 18.3, the feature will be enabled automatically during onboarding. Those who wish to disable it will need to navigate to the Apple Intelligence section in the Settings app.

The update also reflects Apple's decision to roll back a controversial AI feature after encountering issues with accuracy.

Similar to Google and Microsoft, Apple has faced challenges with new AI features that produced harmful content or inaccuracies.

For instance, the AI had previously misrepresented notifications, claiming that "Brazilian tennis player, Rafael Nadal, comes out as gay," despite Nadal being Spanish and married.

As part of the latest updates, Apple has disabled AI summaries specifically for news and entertainment apps.

The company has also introduced a visual distinction, displaying notifications generated by AI in italics, making it clear which notifications are AI-generated and which come directly from the apps.

A BBC spokesperson expressed appreciation for Apple's responsiveness, stating they are pleased that the summarization feature for news has been paused. Apple has indicated that the notification summaries for news apps will be reinstated in a future update.