AI’s entire promise is to boost productivity and spark creativity—and if that’s your thing, it can even add a dash of fun to everyday life. This spirit has never been more in tune with a brand than it is with Apple. We carry our iPhones in our pockets day in and day out, quietly hoping these little, sleek, glassy companions will make life easier and more delightful. Now, iOS 18.3—the Cupertino giant’s latest stride into the generative AI age—aims to fulfill that hope by enabling Apple Intelligence by default on your iPhone.
With some key innovations, uninteresting non-improvements, and heightened concerns over security and privacy, iOS 18.3, released in January 2025, is once again sparking conversation among experts and in everyday homes. Let’s dive in.
1) Apple Intelligence is now enabled by default
Apple Intelligence is now enabled by default on compatible devices (iPhone 15 Pro models, iPhone 16 series, iPad mini 7, and M-series Macs). Users previously had to opt-in, but now they need to manually disable it if they don’t want to use it. Interestingly, there is a whole universe of iPhone users who were unaware of some of these features previously available in iOS 18.2 via manual activation. With the release of 18.3, they are now marveling at two readily enabled features, namely, Writing Tools and the Siri-ChatGPT integration. Of course, privacy and security concerns immediately sprung up in mass, to which Apple’s blanket response is: you can disable Apple Intelligence in Settings. However, Apple’s consistent focus on privacy and security does address these issues in their Software License Agreements and Privacy Policy.
2) Enhanced Visual Intelligence
iOS 18.3 introduces several new features to Visual Intelligence for iPhone 16 models. Among them is Instant Event Detection, whereby users can now add events to their Calendar app by scanning posters or flyers. The feature extracts date and time information from images and prompts users to add the event directly13. Also, Visual Intelligence now bolsters Enhanced Nature ID, allowing your iPhone to identify a broader range of plant and animal species. When viewing plants, animals, or insects, a tappable bubble appears at the top of the viewfinder, providing more information about what’s being observed. These new capabilities are accessed through the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models. Users need to press and hold the button to activate Visual Intelligence, then capture an image of the object or scene they want to analyze. It’s worth noting that while these features were announced, some users have reported issues with the plant and animal recognition functionality, suggesting it may not be fully implemented or working as expected for all users.
3) Siri and ChatGPT Integration
Perhaps one of the most talked-about features of iOS 18.3 is the integration of ChatGPT with Siri. Although already available in iOS 18.2, users were intrigued to see the feature available by default on their devices. Interestingly, in the OpenAI Developer Community, some users have reported issues with the ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.3, suggesting that the experience might not be consistently improved for all users.
4) Writing Tools Improvements
In the age of ChatGPT and generative AI, Writing Tools emerged as the flagship feature of iOS 18.1 when it launched in October 2024. Two months later, iOS 18.2 introduced significant enhancements—most notably, a seamless integration with ChatGPT. Now, with iOS 18.3, Writing Tools is enabled by default, making headlines in households as users are introduced—sometimes unexpectedly—to the feature. Still, the most notable improvement in iOS 18.3 may be its fix for developers leveraging the Writing Tools API.
5) The Controversy: Default AI Settings
The release of iOS 18.3 has sparked a mix of privacy and security concerns, as well as some praise. The update automatically enables Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered feature that collects and analyzes data from various apps to enhance user experience, raising privacy concerns among some users. However, Apple emphasizes its commitment to privacy through on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, which are designed to protect user data. The update also addressed 29 security vulnerabilities, including a critical zero-day flaw (CVE-2025-24085) in the CoreMedia component that could allow malicious applications to gain unauthorized access. Another notable change in this update is the elimination of AI-generated news summaries, a move that has been positively received by those concerned about the spread of AI-generated misinformation. To address all AI-related user concerns at the root, Apple has provided the option to disable Apple Intelligence in Settings, thus rendering a virtually AI-free device.
Looking Ahead: The Future of iOS and AI
As Apple continues to refine and expand its AI offerings, the release of iOS 18.3 represents a significant milestone in the company’s AI strategy. With iOS 18.4 expected to arrive soon, it’s clear that Apple is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with smartphone AI. The integration of AI into iOS marks a new era for iPhone users, offering enhanced productivity, creativity, and user experience. However, Apple will not escape the ongoing concerns surrounding the explosion in AI development. From privacy to environmental concerns, any business developing or using AI will have to grapple with these issues.
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