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Apple Developing AI Tool to Help Developers Write Code for Apps

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Apple is working on an updated version of Xcode that will include an AI tool for generating code, reports Bloomberg. The AI tool will be similar to GitHub Copilot from Microsoft, which can generate code based on natural language requests and convert code from one programming language to another.

apple developer app feature
The Xcode AI tool will be able to predict and finish blocks of code, allowing developers to streamline their app creation process. Apple is now testing the functionality internally and plans to release it to third-party software developers "as early as this year."

Apple is also testing AI-generated code for testing apps, and has asked some engineers to try these features out internally.

The artificial intelligence capabilities added to Xcode will join several other AI features that Apple plans to add to Siri and other built-in apps. Some new features could include the option to generate playlists in Apple Music and create slideshows in Keynote, with Apple also working on improved Spotlight search capabilities. Search could encompass specific features in apps and might also provide responses to complex questions, with the feature built using large language models.

According to Bloomberg, Apple software chief Craig Federighi has asked employees to create as many new AI features as possible for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15. Apple plans to introduce "a slew of new AI features," and iOS 18 will be marketed as one of the biggest updates to the iPhone since it launched. Some of the AI features will come to macOS, but Apple plans to "take a gradual approach to AI development" with some features not coming "for years."

Tags: Apple GPT Guide, Artificial Intelligence, Bloomberg, Machine Learning, Mark Gurman

Top Rated Comments

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icanhazmac
28 months ago
How long until devs go on strike to keep AI from helping n00bz write code?

n00b: AI, write me code for an iOS freemium game, make it just barely fun unless they pay
AI: Ok, here it is
n00b: Profit



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Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
28 months ago
We are racing to the bottom as fast as we can
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
28 months ago

Craig Federighi has asked employees to create as many new AI features as possible for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15. Apple plans to introduce "a slew of new AI features"
I’m certain this will turn out great. This is a sure way to make the OS more coherent and reduce the number of bugs.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
toobravetosave Avatar
toobravetosave
28 months ago

It will all depend on how they’ll implement it. If it’s decent from the start, count me in. I just hope that the features they’ll end up rolling won’t be half-baked or proofs of concepts. They took their time, now they need to show that it was worth it.
they didn’t take their time they were simply late
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
coffeemilktea
28 months ago
I wonder how useful this will actually be... from personal experience, I've found AI is good at generating small snippets of code for specific tasks, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything larger or more complex, at least not without a lot of human guidance. 🤔

But then, asking an AI to do small things sure beats having to look up how to call specific functions and classes on the Apple Developer documentation website. Can't remember how to use NSFileManager with iCloud? The AI will do it for you. :cool:
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
28 months ago

So if Apple AI writes portions of the code, then those portions are in theory Apple's IP and not that of the developer, correct?
No. AI output is not copyrightable, only human works are.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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