Apple made a big push to catch up on artificial intelligence features for its products, unveiling a rebuilt Siri, new AI-powered features across its devices and a continued emphasis on privacy as a differentiator.
“Apple showed that AI is becoming a central, horizontal layer across its ecosystem,” wrote BofA Global Research analyst Wamsi Mohan in a June 8 note, describing the announcements as “substantive.”
Moreover, he said that “Apple highlighted privacy as a differentiator, noting that Safari AI features are designed not to share sensitive browsing data with Apple or third parties.”
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Here are the biggest news from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026, with many features expected to roll out in iOS 27 this fall:
- Siri gets its biggest overhaul in years.
Apple introduced an entirely new version of Siri, rebranded as Siri AI and integrated into iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. The upgraded assistant can understand what is happening on a user’s screen, carry out actions across apps and engage in back-and-forth conversations.
Apple said Siri AI can also maintain context across messages, emails, photos and other content, as well as perform more complex tasks across apps. For example, if you get a text about a potluck with friends, you can brainstorm with Siri about dishes to bring and add a recipe to Notes.
“Siri is moving from a command-based voice interface to a personal AI assistant that can reason across a user’s device, apps and real-world context,” Mohan said. It can find information across apps and the web, interpret what is on screen, take action, draft messages and emails, among other capabilities.
- Apple Intelligence expands across its ecosystem.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI platform, is now embedded more deeply throughout its devices.
The technology adds AI-powered assistance to Safari, Notes, Reminders, Messages, Maps, Apple Wallet and other applications. Apple demonstrated features that summarize information, automate tasks and help users interact with their devices using natural language.
Apple Intelligence is powered by Apple’s Foundation Models, which it said was developed in collaboration with Google and draw on the technology from the Gemini family of models.
- AI-powered photo editing arrives.
The Photos app received some of the event’s most practical AI upgrades.
New features include object removal, intelligent image expansion, spatial reframing and other editing tools designed to improve photos with minimal user effort. Apple also enhanced Image Playground, its generative image creation tool.
- Apple doubles down on privacy.
While competitors often rely heavily on cloud processing, Apple again positioned privacy as a core selling point.
“Apple emphasized that truly useful AI needs to be grounded in a user’s personal context but wrapped in a privacy-first architecture,” Mohan said. Apple is creating a “solid foundation of privacy and trust around its AI strategy, particularly as AI becomes more personal and increasingly embedded into daily workflows.”
The company said many AI requests will run directly on the devices, while more demanding tasks can be handled through its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. Apple argued that its approach minimizes data collection and reduces exposure of personal information.
- Liquid glass gets a makeover.
Apple refined its Liquid Glass user interface, which debuted last year and received mixed reviews for readability.
Users will now be able to adjust interface transparency through new controls, giving them greater flexibility over how much of the visual effect appears throughout the operating system.
- Child safety features expand.
The company unveiled new parental controls and child-safety tools. These features will help parents control what their children see and with whom they can chat as well as manage their screen time.
After setting up a child’s account, parents can filter for age-appropriate interactions and which apps they are allowed to use. Also, parents can require approval of each new contact. If explicit or violent content is being shared, parents can enable automatic interventions.
- Apple focuses on speed and stability.
Beyond AI, Apple highlighted significant performance improvements across its software platforms.
The company said the upcoming iOS 27 delivers faster app launches, quicker photo loading and improved file transfers. The update also continues support for older devices, including iPhone 11 models – its “broadest availability ever,” according to Mohan.
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