Top 3 Key Points:
- Apple shared its first AI-generated image of Craig Federighi’s dog through WIRED.
- The image was created using Apple’s new Image Playgrounds, set to launch in iOS 18.2.
- AI features will be available on iPhone 15 Pro and M1 Macs, with EU availability delayed due to legal compliance.
Apple’s First AI Image: Craig Federighi’s Dog Featured
Apple has showcased its new AI-powered image generation feature by revealing an image of Craig Federighi’s dog, shared with WIRED magazine. This marks the first public display of Apple Intelligence’s creative capabilities, even though the full suite of image tools, like Image Playgrounds and Genmoji, aren’t available yet in the iOS 18.1 beta. These features are expected to be rolled out in the iOS 18.2 update later this year.
WIRED published the image with a watermark indicating it was AI-generated. However, Apple clarified that once the features are officially released, images created through Image Playgrounds won’t have a visible watermark. Instead, metadata within the file will note that the image was AI-generated, similar to how AI-edited images are handled by the Photos app’s Clean Up feature. It’s worth noting that metadata can be removed with standard tools, or lost if the image is screenshotted.
Limited AI Styles to Avoid Confusion
Apple is taking a careful approach to avoid any confusion between AI-generated images and real-life photos. At launch, users will be able to choose from three distinct styles: “animation,” “sketch,” and “illustration.” These styles are non-photorealistic, reducing the risk of AI images being mistaken for real photos. The image of Craig’s dog, named Bailey, was likely generated using the “animation” style, resembling something like Pixar’s CGI models. The picture shows Bailey in front of a cake, wearing a party hat, as it was made to celebrate her recent birthday.
Users will be able to create images by entering text prompts, allowing them to personalize the content. For example, Federighi used the AI tool to generate a birthday scene for Bailey. This flexibility is one of the key features of the upcoming Image Playgrounds, which will be available as a standalone app and integrated into Apple’s communication apps like Messages.
Hardware and Regional Availability
Apple Intelligence will initially be available on devices like the iPhone 15 Pro or later, and M1-powered iPads or Macs. The first wave of features will be released in October 2024, starting with iOS 18.1 in the U.S., while other English-speaking regions will get access in December. Support for additional languages will follow in 2025.
However, users in the European Union will have to wait longer, as Apple works to meet regulatory requirements in the region. Craig Federighi addressed this in his interview with WIRED, stating that Apple is committed to complying with local laws and is actively working on bringing these features to EU customers as soon as possible.
Apple’s AI developments are taking a cautious yet creative approach, promising exciting new tools for users while prioritizing clarity, safety, and compliance with legal standards.
