Apple's New AI Strategy Firms Up Under Craig Federighi (www.macrumors.com)

Apple is reshaping its artificial intelligence strategy under the leadership of software chief Craig Federighi, as the company aims to enhance Siri and other AI-driven features across its product range. This transition follows years of internal delays and frustrations, with Federighi now directly overseeing AI initiatives. Notably, Apple has decided to integrate external AI models, specifically from Google's Gemini, to power updates for Siri, which had previously been stalled until 2025. This shift highlights a significant pivot towards leveraging third-party expertise to accelerate development and deliver improved user experiences. However, this restructuring raises concerns within the company regarding Federighi’s cost-sensitive approach towards AI investment, contrasting sharply with competitors like OpenAI and Google who heavily invest in extensive infrastructure. Despite his initial skepticism about AI's unpredictability, Federighi's perspective shifted post-ChatGPT, prompting him to push for the adoption of large language models in Apple's offerings. While Apple will maintain its development of proprietary AI models for on-device use, plans are in place to optimize and compress these models to reduce reliance on external solutions in the long run, suggesting a dual strategy that balances innovation with cost efficiency.