Apple’s EU AI features come with a significant catch

Apple Intelligence debuts in EU with limited availability: Apple’s new AI suite, Apple Intelligence, has launched in the European Union, but with significant limitations and a staggered rollout across devices.

• Mac users in the EU running macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later can now access the first set of Apple Intelligence features.
• iPhone and iPad users in the EU will have to wait until April 2024 to use Apple Intelligence on their devices.
• Currently, users must set their device and Siri language to US English to access Apple Intelligence features.

Feature availability and device compatibility: The rollout of Apple Intelligence features varies depending on the device and region, with some limitations in place.

• EU Mac users can now access AI perks such as Writing Tools, Clean Up in the Photos app, and notification summaries.
• Non-EU beta testers can try image generation tools by downloading pre-release builds of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2.
• Outside the EU, Apple Intelligence is available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, iPads with an A17 Pro or M-series chip, and Apple silicon Macs.

Reasons for delayed mobile rollout in EU: The staggered release of Apple Intelligence in the EU is likely due to regulatory considerations and ongoing development.

• Apple is delaying the iOS and iPadOS rollout to comply with EU regulations, particularly the Digital Markets Act (DMA) which focuses on mobile platforms.
• The company aims to have the full suite of Apple Intelligence features ready by the time it launches on EU iPhones and iPads in April.

Upcoming features and language support: Apple has plans to expand both the feature set and language compatibility of Apple Intelligence in the near future.

• Features like ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, Image Playground, and context-aware Siri are expected to be ready for the EU mobile rollout in April.
• Support for languages beyond US English is planned for the coming months, broadening accessibility for users worldwide.

Analyzing the impact: Apple’s cautious approach to rolling out AI features in the EU reflects the complex regulatory landscape and the company’s commitment to compliance.

• The staggered release may give Apple time to fine-tune its AI offerings and ensure they meet EU standards, potentially setting a precedent for future AI rollouts in regulated markets.
• However, the delayed availability on mobile devices in the EU could temporarily put Apple at a competitive disadvantage compared to other AI-enabled platforms in the region.