Apple Intelligence Review: Is AI Making Us Smarter or Just Faking It?

Apple Intelligence Review: Is AI Making Us Smarter or Just Faking It?

Introduction

I’ve spent several weeks with Apple‘s new AI software on my iPhone, and one thing has become quite clear to me: you have to be an idiot to like Apple Intelligence.

But don’t take my word for it—that’s what Apple believes too.

Apple Intelligence and Its Advertisements

The Theme of Apple’s Ads

In every advertisement Apple has produced about Apple Intelligence, it features profoundly stupid people doing stupid things. These characters use Apple Intelligence to avoid being called out for their mistakes and feel like geniuses.

Examples from Apple Ads

  1. Lazy Office Worker:
    A man spends the whole day doing nothing at work but uses Apple Intelligence to send a formal email that fools his co-workers into thinking he’s productive.
  2. Forgotten Husband’s Birthday:
    A woman forgets her husband’s birthday and uses Apple AI to stitch together a memory movie. It’s not special, as iPhones already have basic tools to create these videos.
  3. Unprepared Meeting:
    A guy uses AI to fake preparation for a meeting, presenting someone else’s work as his own.
  4. Lying About Reading an Email:
    Actor Bella Ramsey features in an ad where the character pretends to have read an email using Apple AI.

The Message in These Ads

In every ad, the users of Apple Intelligence come off as slimy rather than savvy. The idea seems to promote dishonesty instead of genuine productivity.

AI Siri: Promises and Limitations

Incomplete Features

There are many things about Apple Intelligence that users can’t even test yet:

  • Personal Siri: Not yet activated to help with personal questions.
  • Image Playground and Gen Emoji: Still on a waitlist in the public beta.

Apple Intelligence Summaries

Notification and Email Summaries

Apple Intelligence offers summaries of messages and emails.

Problems with Notification Summaries

  • Often misinterpret messages, leaving incorrect or robotic summaries.
  • Force users to expand messages to see the original content, wasting time.

Problems with Email Summaries

  • Create messy, unclear summaries.
  • Don’t save time or provide a better understanding of important emails.

Apple Intelligence Rewrite

The Purpose of Rewriting Tools

Apple Intelligence can rewrite messages to adjust their tone, aiming to make users sound more polite or formal.

Issues with Rewriting Tools

  • Encourages corporate speak and generic fluff.
  • Instills doubt in personal communication.

Possible Use Cases

Rewriting tools could be helpful to:

  • Double-check tone when frustrated.
  • Adjust casual messages for formal settings.

Safari AI Summarize

Summarizing Web Pages

The Safari web browser includes a summarization feature:

  1. Click the lines in the upper corner.
  2. Turn on reader mode.
  3. Click “Summarize.”

The Question of Value

  • Is the value of AI to save time by summarizing content?
  • Or does it encourage users to outsource critical thinking and reading comprehension?

Final Thoughts

The Shift in Apple’s Messaging

Steve Jobs once said Apple was for “those who think different—the rebels who push the human race forward.”

Now, it seems Apple’s products cater to those who prefer shortcuts over substance.

A Message to Readers

Don’t feel bad if you don’t like AI. Maybe it’s just not for you.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments. Don’t let AI edit your tone—I want to hear your unfiltered self.

I’ll catch you next time.

 

 

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