Long before the inception of the iPhone, Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs had a vision for personal computing that strikingly aligns with the AI technologies we see today.

In a visionary speech from 1985, Jobs foresaw a future remarkably close to the reality created by today's advanced language models. During a period when the computer industry was in a lull, he remained optimistic about the potential of personal computing, describing it as having "tremendous momentum" that would soon catalyze an era of "free intellectual energy." Predicting the rise and fall of technology in the 1990s, Jobs imagined computers capable of compiling resources and facilitating interactions with the brightest minds of both the past and present. He humorously mentioned his envy upon discovering that Aristotle had been Alexander the Great's tutor.

Jobs expressed his aspirations, saying, "My hope is that someday, when the next Aristotle is alive, we can capture that Aristotle's underlying worldview in a computer. And someday, a student could not only read what Aristotle wrote but also ask him a question and get a response. That's the beginning, I think."

With Apple unveiling new AI features at WWDC 2024, it begs the question whether Jobs' visionary predictions are manifesting. (If only we could ask him now.)

The developer conference highlighted several AI enhancements across Apple's suite of products and services, shifting from generic AI terms to a tailored term, "Apple Intelligence: AI for everyone."

These updates span Apple's entire product line, from iPhones to MacBooks, and include new collaborations, like the integration of ChatGPT into Apple’s operating systems. Although these features won’t roll out until later this year, it raises an important question about who benefits the most. Will these developments help Apple catch up with AI pioneers like Google and Microsoft? Will it benefit OpenAI through Apple's extensive hardware and brand recognition? Or will it be the consumers who find new ways to engage with AI in everyday life?

The advancements to Siri and other AI integrations are poised to enhance interoperability across Apple's ecosystem, potentially revolutionizing voice interfaces and search optimization across devices and apps.

"This kind of voice interaction model could become consistent across all our hardware," stated Chris Weathers, VP of technology at VML. "It's hard to predict exactly where the future is headed, but the current signs suggest we're moving towards a significant convergence."

Moreover, Apple's updates may facilitate many users' first real interactions with generative AI. According to a recent BCG survey, only 20% of individuals over 35 have used generative AI tools. Beyond ChatGPT, new features like App Intents, which allow for Siri control, might reshape not just search engine usage but also how users interact with virtual assistants and multiple apps.

"Integrating these tools more seamlessly into apps is one of the most exciting trends we’re observing," remarked Mark Abraham, managing director at Boston Consulting Group. "If developers can access these technologies more easily, it could significantly alter the app landscape."

There's also speculation about how Apple's agreement with OpenAI might evolve compared to past agreements, such as its default search engine deal with Google, which is now under scrutiny in an antitrust trial. According to Bloomberg, the current arrangement with OpenAI involves no financial exchange but might lead to a revenue-sharing model in the future.

As Apple forges partnerships like the one with OpenAI, concerns over privacy and safety with generative AI could potentially tarnish Apple's long-standing reputation. The company, however, is proactive about these issues, introducing concepts like Private Cloud Compute at its latest event.

"Apple has consistently emphasized privacy and consumer trust," noted Nicole Greene, vice president at Gartner. "Their decision to make their AI models operate exclusively on user devices without data access by Apple aligns with their focus on hardware sales rather than data monetization."

With its vast user ecosystem, Apple is strategically positioned to capitalize on integrating AI with its hardware, potentially scaling AI use for content creation and authenticity verification.

"Apple's consumer-centric approach will significantly influence how generative AI technologies are adopted culturally and socially," added Greene.

As Apple and OpenAI collaborate more closely, it remains to be seen whether Apple's ethos of simplicity, privacy, and ethical considerations will influence OpenAI's practices.

While the answers to these questions aren't clear yet, they are crucial as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI technology.