Apple to build AI tool for developers to compete with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot

Apple Inc.The race to add more artificial intelligence capabilities is nearing completion with a major new software tool for app developers that will speed up the competition. Microsoft Corp. The company has been working on the tool since last year as part of the next major version of Apple’s flagship programming software Xcode. It has now ramped up testing of the feature internally and accelerated development ahead of plans to release it to third-party software makers early this year, according to people familiar with the matter.

The new system will work like Microsoft’s. GitHub Copilot and use artificial intelligence to predict and complete blocks of code, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the projects are private. This simplifies the programming process for software development, potentially saving time and money.

Apple is also exploring the use of AI to generate code to test applications, an often painful process. Currently, Apple is pushing some engineers to test these new AI features internally as part of an effort to “dog-feed” — when a company uses its products — to ensure that They work properly before releasing to outside developers.

The moves are part of a broader push into creative AI and big language models, the technology behind popular chatbots. Chat GPT. Apple is playing catch-up with tech peers in this growing market, but it has promised to discuss its plans for AI later this year. The announcement could come as soon as June, when the company holds its annual developers conference.

Apple shares, which had fallen as much as 1.5 percent, briefly turned positive on the news. They were little changed at the close on Thursday, trading at $183.86. Microsoft fell less than 1 percent to $406.56.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the plans.

This is a quick move. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, has asked his teams to build as many new AI features as possible for this year’s operating system updates.

He has also tasked his lieutenants with drumming up features that use the technology, and has made top deputy Sebastien Marino Mace a point person for the effort. Apple executives demonstrated AI functions to the board late last year, with Marineau-Mes conducting most of the presentation, the people said. gave Xcode The work is being overseen by another Federgi lieutenant, longtime vice president of software engineering Andreas Wendaker.

Apple’s Next iPhone and iPad Software Updates – iOS And iPadOS 18 – According to the people, many new AI features will be included. The company plans to tout the software, codenamed Crystal, as one of the most significant updates in the iPhone’s 16-year history.

It also plans to bring some AI features to the next version of macOS, codenamed Glow. Still, Apple aims to take a gradual approach to AI development, with some growth not coming for years.

The company has explored other new AI features, including features that will automate creation. Apple Music Create playlists and slideshows in Keynote, its PowerPoint rival. Another feature under consideration is a new version of Spotlight, Apple’s system-wide search feature.

The new version will be able to toggle between specific features within apps and answer complex questions based on data trained by large language models. LLMs, the technology that powers AI tools, are developed by software bombarded with torrents of data.

Early designs for Spotlight Overhaul include using LLMs to answer more complex questions and the ability to drill down into apps to trigger specific functions. The current version of Spotlight is limited to launching most apps, doing basic web searches, and getting information like weather and sports scores.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said during his latest quarterly conference call that engineers “continue to spend a lot of time and effort” on the initiative.

Competition is increasing. In January, Samsung The electronics company made a new start. Galaxy S24 The smartphone line — which features built-in Google AI — offers a preview of what Apple will do with the iPhone 16 later this year.

The company is also continuing its LLM to expand services like Siri and AppleCare support. The company is trying to improve Siri’s ability to answer complex questions accurately, and customer service teams are looking to speed up chat and phone support. Apple has also invested heavily in integrating AI into its health features.

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