Apple relies on developers: AI applications based on proprietary LLM models

While competitors are loudly touting their advances in artificial intelligence, Apple seems to have opted for a more restrained strategy. Instead of showcasing large-scale AI features to end users, the company is betting on its own developer community. As Mark Gurman reports in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, a key move will be opening up access to Apple’s own large language models (LLMs) to third-party developers.

The key move will be to open up access to Apple’s own large language models (LLMs) to third-party developers.

Apple opens up LLMs to developers

Big language models are the foundation of artificial intelligence technology, underpinning most modern AI applications. By giving developers access to its LLMs, Apple is effectively offering the “building blocks” for creating AI features and new apps that will be available on the App Store. This opens the door to a flood of specialized AI solutions that Apple itself would be unlikely to develop given the diversity of user demands.

This approach is in stark contrast to Google’s strategy, which at the last I/O conference emphasized its own AI products deeply integrated into its search and communications services. Apple, on the other hand, is relying on the creativity and ingenuity of its developer community, hoping it will lead to an explosion of AI functionality in the iOS ecosystem.

What to expect from WWDC and “Apple Intelligence”

According to Gurman, the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference is unlikely to feature large-scale, competitor-inspired announcements from Apple. However, more “subtle” integrations will be unveiled, including energy-saving features driven by “Apple Intelligence,” as well as new health features.

In addition, it’s expected to sound the stage about its partnership with Google – specifically, the integration of Gemini into Siri. But the real “joker” of the presentation could be precisely the opening up of access to Apple’s LLM to developers, which will allow them to launch waves of new apps in the App Store. Even if Apple’s models are inferior in raw power to its competitors, the number of AI solutions created by third-party teams could give Apple a significant advantage.

And if Apple’s models are inferior in raw power to its competitors, the number of AI solutions created by third-party teams could give Apple a significant advantage.

Betting on a strong community

Apple’s strategy is a conscious bet on its own developer ecosystem. The company isn’t looking to participate in a race of headlines and promises, but instead prefers to build an infrastructure that empowers thousands of teams around the world to create AI products customized for specific tasks and niches.

Whether Apple will be able to stay afloat in the rapidly evolving AI market, time will tell. But its chosen path shows confidence in one of its strongest assets: a loyal and inventive team of developers around the world.

The article Apple bets on developers: AI apps based on proprietary LLM models was first published at ITZine.ru.