Apple is dragging its feet on AI. The company’s big bet, “Apple Intelligence,” won’t roll out to most users until 2026. That’s way behind rivals like OpenAI’s GPT-4o, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot, all pushing AI features hard and fast.
At WWDC, Apple previewed AI tweaks for Siri, writing, and app suggestions. But right now, these tools are locked in beta, on select US devices only. Early access might not hit widespread iOS users until 2025’s iOS 18.4 update—and the full rollout could stretch into 2026, reports Macworld.
Others see Apple as lagging. But the company’s history says different: Apple waits to ship only when software is polished. That means no half-baked AI that craps out or spins nonsense like Microsoft’s Copilot or ChatGPT still do. 
Developers say AI helps for code snippets but is more hassle than help on complex projects. Apple might be taking that to heart.
TechRadar summed it up well, highlighting the upside of delay:
“If Apple’s slow and cautious AI rollout results in something actually useful, that’s a win,” TechRadar says.
And if it doesn’t? At least Apple didn’t spam the market with tools that waste everyone’s time.
Apple keeps quiet on exact timelines, avoiding hyped promises for Siri or AI assistants. The company is taking the long view—letting others test AI’s limits and mess up while it watches from the sidelines.
This cautious stance fits Apple’s playbook. It didn’t rush into smartwatches or tablets, but when it did, it set new standards.
Apple doesn’t need to race for hype. It controls hardware, OS, and the app store. It can launch AI on its own terms—and may be betting that patience pays off in an AI landscape still riddled with inaccurate and unreliable tools.
The company lost a key AI leader to Meta recently, but it’s holding steady on the slow-and-steady approach.
No rush. No hype. Just watching and waiting to get AI right when the tech actually works.
