iOS 18 Rumored to Add AI-Transcription for Voice Memos

Though Samsung and Google have taken the lead in the realm of AI software, Apple has reportedly been toiling behind the scenes to infuse its products with artificial intelligence capabilities. According to a new rumor, the forthcoming iteration of its iPhone operating system, iOS 18, will incorporate a feature already present in rival devices: AI transcription for voice recordings within its Voice Memos application.

Sources divulged to AppleInsider that the AI transcription will generate a real-time transcript of Voice Memos, complemented by a summarization. This functionality is expected to operate akin to the Live Voicemail feature that Apple introduced last autumn with iOS 17. Additionally, the AI transcription and summarization will extend to the Notes app, which will purportedly support audio recordings in iOS 18, as per an April report from AppleInsider. This enhancement is also anticipated to grace the Voice Memo applications on macOS and iPadOS.

Should this rumor hold true, Apple would be aligning itself with its competitors by incorporating AI transcription of audio recordings. Google has offered live auto-transcription in its Recorder app for several years, while Samsung’s Galaxy AI, unveiled with this year’s Galaxy S24 phones, can translate conversations and distill notes.

Further insights from AppleInsider suggest that the Voice Memos auto-translation may be the inaugural AI feature integrated into Apple’s software lineup this year. Additional AI summarization capabilities are expected to be introduced to Safari for webpage summaries and the Messages app for condensing extensive conversation threads.

Notably, some of these features, such as those in Messages, are rumored to leverage on-device AI rather than cloud-based processing. This approach aligns with Apple’s staunch commitment to user data privacy, as it circumvents the necessity for personal information to traverse to and from external servers, thus mitigating the risk of interception or theft.

Read more: [AI Showdown: How Samsung’s Galaxy S24 AI Tools Compare to Google, Apple]

It is conceivable that Apple will unveil this suite of AI features at WWDC 2024, slated to commence on June 10. Historically, the company utilizes its midyear software showcase to debut the first public betas of its upcoming iOS versions, suggesting that we might witness the introduction of AI transcription in Voice Memos and other AI-driven functionalities shortly thereafter.

This article was originally published on cnet. Read the orignal article.

FAQs

How will AI transcription work in iOS 18? AI transcription in iOS 18 will provide real-time transcripts and summaries of Voice Memos, making it easier for users to manage their audio recordings.

What are the privacy implications? Apple’s on-device AI processing ensures that personal data remains on the device, reducing the risk of data interception or theft and aligning with Apple’s strict privacy policies.

How does Apple’s AI compare to Google’s and Samsung’s? While Google and Samsung have advanced AI features, Apple’s focus on on-device processing and seamless integration across its ecosystem offers a unique and secure user experience.

When will these features be available? These AI features are expected to be announced at WWDC 2024 and may be available in the first public betas of iOS 18.

What other AI features might Apple introduce? Beyond transcription, Apple may introduce AI-driven summarization in Safari and the Messages app, enhancing user productivity and communication.