Apple AI

[deleted]

So for those of you with devices that support Apple AI, are you using it or is it off.

On my iPhones, we turned it on when it became available. It's been a little problematic so it's now off. Lots of reasons, just don't think it's ready for prime time yet. I know, I know, it's not all rolled out yet. That's another issue; apple marketing.

Donoreo

I enabled it on my Mini G4. It downloaded several GBs of data when I did. I use the writing tools mostly to double check my own writing.

[deleted]

It started out using about 4GB of data but it's since creeped a little from what I've read. That's the trade-off of doing it on device vs cloud.

[deleted]

AI Guide link

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-intelligence/

cypherstream

I have it on but to be honest I haven't used it much. The only thing I usually tell my phone (or watch even) is to set a timer for this or that, or turn this light on or off, or open the garage door. Sometimes I'm like "Remind me at this date and time to do this...". None of that requires the AI, and I've been using the assistant in that manner for years.

One of these days I'll come up with something to ask it, I'm sure.

markuswarren

I have turned it off. and off it shall remain, until 18.3, when I'll need to turn it off again as Apple is seemingly going to turn it on by default, even though it's still apparently a beta.

TechyTempest

“Reduce interruptions” is REALLY nice, I just leave it on permanently so whenever my watch taps me, I know it’s something I need to look at and it’s spot on 99% of the time.

It’s the only feature that has legitimately surprised me at how good it is, but I wouldn’t buy a new phone for it. Everything else is whatever, the safari summary is nice when someone sends me an huge article and I want to know if it’s worth reading, but again, not worth buying a new phone/computer for.

The only reason I’d suggest an upgrade is if you’re still on an Intel machine. Even a cheap 400 dollar M1 MacBook from Walmart will run circles around what you have now, that’s absolutely worth an upgrade.

bjf123

I have it enabled on my iPhone and iPad. Not sure about my mini. Haven’t really used it much.

Zenit_IIfx

Have not been impressed with it on my M2 Macbook Air. The AI reply suggestions are really poor and so vapid. The AI notification summary system refuses to summarize 90% of notifications rendering it useless. The AI Email Priority system only seems to give priority to emails from known contacts, which really does not require AI to do. The image generation is inferior to other products on the market. Siri speech to text seems to have gotten worse on my iPhone 12 to the point that it can barely understand me most of the time.

Rich221976

So I am finding that I am using AI more and more on my Mac since enabling it. I noticed that for my replies in my text messages and the text prediction has gotten much better with time.

Astyanax

Rich221976

Rich221976 So I am finding that I am using AI more and more on my Mac since enabling it. I noticed that for my replies in my text messages and the text prediction has gotten much better with time.

Apparently it’s not good enough for Tim:

As Apple’s Siri comes under attack for failing at the most basic queries, the company is shaking up leadership in charge of Apple’s AI features for Siri. According to Bloomberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook is installing Mike Rockwell, the current VP of the Vision Products Group (the team behind the Vision Pro), to head up the Siri team.

The report indicates Cook has “lost confidence” in the current AI head, John Giannandrea, “to execute on product development.” As a result, Giannandrea will no longer be in charge of Siri.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/20/apple-puts-vision-pro-exec-in-charge-of-siri-in-exec-shakeup/

bjf123

Are you using Apple’s AI or something else? I did use Apple’s writing tools when I was writing a letter to my congressmen. It generated something much better than my version.

Rich221976

Mostly the Apple AI.

[deleted]

I’m pretty sure that what people wanted most from Apple Intelligence is the promise of a much smarter and aware Siri.

That has obviously failed to materialize, and that’s what most people are not happy about.

bjf123

[deleted] I’m pretty sure that what people wanted most from Apple Intelligence is the promise of a much smarter and aware Siri.

That has obviously failed to materialize, and that’s what most people are not happy about.

Yep. About all I use Siri for is turning lights on or off, setting timers, and playing music.

Astyanax

[deleted] I’m pretty sure that what people wanted most from Apple Intelligence is the promise of a much smarter and aware Siri.

I’m not so sure. I’ve never really wanted Siri to be more involved in my daily life nor have I yearned for “her” to be able to take over any of my tasks.

What I really don’t think has been done properly is selling how AI can help the general public in their daily life. I sure don’t know what it’s supposed to be doing for me and what the biiiiiiig deal is. Also getting the general public to trust it which may be the biggest stumbling block. All most people hear is how it messes up.

[deleted]

bjf123 Yep. About all I use Siri for is turning lights on or off, setting timers, and playing music.

Yeah because it’s useless for most everything else, and you have to use just the right commands otherwise it doesnt get it.

Donoreo

[deleted] Yeah because it’s useless for most everything else, and you have to use just the right commands otherwise it doesnt get it.

I got Siri with my iPhone 4s. It is not much better now than it was then.

Donawalt

Oh no! It can do much more! I do “Hey Siri what’s the temperature?” 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[deleted]

Donoreo I got Siri with my iPhone 4s. It is not much better now than it was then.

I skipped the 4s, but got the 5. I agree though, its not much better.

schettj

I turned it off on iPhone14 pro and M1 MB air. Performance/battery impact not worth the added features.