Apple's App Store model for AI

"Apple is going to bet that the advantages its existing store provides will give customers the faith and trust to access AI apps there rather than somewhere else. The company hasn't announced its plan yet, though there have been hints. Just look at how Apple is laying things out with these moves (both announced and speculated about). It's:"

"Working with Google to build out Apple Intelligence. Working with third parties to support AI services as apps with which to replace or supplement Siri. Maintaining investment in better hardware to run AI - you can quite happily run some models natively on an iPad. Equipping systems with powerful tools such as Unified Memory and the Neural Engine. Rolling out Apple Private Cloud Computer to provide an infrastructure to support private AI in the cloud. Pulling these elements together to form an ecosystem."

"Like a jigsaw, the pieces fit together to provide a fantastic base from which Apple can distribute increasingly powerful AI APIs developers can use to create amazing AI experiences. I spoke with the smart people at the OmniGroup just last year who explained how they already use Apple Intelligence APIs (aka Foundation Models) to add powerful AI features to apps."

"That was just the first lap; the second comes at WWDC 2026; and the third and subsequent races take place over the next 12 to 24 months as Apple implements the elements it's put in place across its ecosystem."

Some developers show resistance to joining an AI initiative, partly to avoid fees. Apple is positioning its existing store and ecosystem to build customer trust for accessing AI apps. Apple Intelligence is being developed with Google, while third parties are expected to support AI services through apps that can replace or supplement Siri. Apple plans to invest in hardware capable of running AI models natively on devices such as iPads, using Unified Memory and the Neural Engine. Apple Private Cloud Computer is intended to provide cloud infrastructure for private AI. These components are intended to fit together as a foundation for distributing increasingly powerful AI APIs over the coming years.

Read at Computerworld