3 ms·

I would argue that Siri is an example of a lightly controlled technology. My bet is that Apple will appear behind for 2-4 years and out of nowhere will launch

I would argue that Siri is an example of a lightly controlled technology. My bet is that Apple will appear behind for 2-4 years and out of nowhere will launch a Spike Jonze's Her-style "Samantha" that was in R&D for years.

sebzim4500 3y ago
I don't think this is possible. There aren't that many AI researchers and they talk to each other. If Apple was making a serious AI push it would be obvious.
- noahtallen 3y ago
  There actually have been rumors about this: https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/22/apple-ramps-up-hiring-of-ai-experts/ https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/22/apple-ramps-up-hiring-o... (and I remember hearing more before April as well.) I feel like any company which has chatbots as a "core" part of their systems (like Siri is often advertised to be) would be looking very heavily into generative AI. It makes way too much sense and would clearly make Siri way more useful. Imagine if Siri was current ChatGPT with plugins for interacting with the OS -- this immediately solves basically all the complaints about Siri. Plus Apple has efficient local AI acceleration already, which could make it even better. It feels so obvious it'd be weird if they weren't trying to make a better Siri with gen AI! I have a feeling we'll hear about it either at WWDC or the iPhone event in the fall.
  - chaxor 3y ago
    They will likely make Siri an LLM but not make a big deal about it. Just simply put it as a minor revision note, because that's effectively all it is.
behnamoh 3y ago
The thing about these technologies is that you can't repeat the same recipe for iPhone. Even 6 months is too long a time for a company to stay behind. The rate of progress in this field, combined with the insane VC money driven up by the hype around LLMs, means that no company can afford "surprising" everyone by waiting just a bit longer. Google did that and see where they are now.
- noahtallen 3y ago
  You're right, but we're talking about Apple. While they may not be able to introduce a ChatGPT competito, Siri basically has a captive audience. With OS-level integrations, you can easily imagine a much more powerful and interactive Siri which becomes popular just because it's available out of the box and offers OS level integrations which a 3rd party chatbot can't. It's also not like AI tools are why people buy Apple products. So "waiting" probably doesn't cost them much money -- it doesn't impact their core hardware and service revenue. It's "just" a value add for now.
  - behnamoh 3y ago
    If MS offers Copilot for office only on Windows, I for one will have an incentive to switch from Mac. And if Bing AI gets integrated into Windows, I’ll most likely switch.
- JohnFen 3y ago
  I don't think I agree. The rate of progress in the field, I think, makes waiting until the dust settles a very smart move.

sebzim4500 3y ago

I don't think this is possible. There aren't that many AI researchers and they talk to each other. If Apple was making a serious AI push it would be obvious.

noahtallen 3y ago
There actually have been rumors about this: https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/22/apple-ramps-up-hiring-of-ai-experts/ https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/22/apple-ramps-up-hiring-o... (and I remember hearing more before April as well.) I feel like any company which has chatbots as a "core" part of their systems (like Siri is often advertised to be) would be looking very heavily into generative AI. It makes way too much sense and would clearly make Siri way more useful. Imagine if Siri was current ChatGPT with plugins for interacting with the OS -- this immediately solves basically all the complaints about Siri. Plus Apple has efficient local AI acceleration already, which could make it even better. It feels so obvious it'd be weird if they weren't trying to make a better Siri with gen AI! I have a feeling we'll hear about it either at WWDC or the iPhone event in the fall.
- chaxor 3y ago
  They will likely make Siri an LLM but not make a big deal about it. Just simply put it as a minor revision note, because that's effectively all it is.

behnamoh 3y ago

The thing about these technologies is that you can't repeat the same recipe for iPhone. Even 6 months is too long a time for a company to stay behind. The rate of progress in this field, combined with the insane VC money driven up by the hype around LLMs, means that no company can afford "surprising" everyone by waiting just a bit longer. Google did that and see where they are now.

noahtallen 3y ago
You're right, but we're talking about Apple. While they may not be able to introduce a ChatGPT competito, Siri basically has a captive audience. With OS-level integrations, you can easily imagine a much more powerful and interactive Siri which becomes popular just because it's available out of the box and offers OS level integrations which a 3rd party chatbot can't. It's also not like AI tools are why people buy Apple products. So "waiting" probably doesn't cost them much money -- it doesn't impact their core hardware and service revenue. It's "just" a value add for now.
- behnamoh 3y ago
  If MS offers Copilot for office only on Windows, I for one will have an incentive to switch from Mac. And if Bing AI gets integrated into Windows, I’ll most likely switch.
JohnFen 3y ago
I don't think I agree. The rate of progress in the field, I think, makes waiting until the dust settles a very smart move.