WWDC 2025: Apple could let developers use its AI models to build new features

As the excitement builds for Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) scheduled for June 9, anticipation is high for what the tech giant will unveil. This event, which stands as Apple's second-most significant gathering of the year, serves as a platform to showcase its software capabilities. Over the past year, Apple has faced criticism regarding the inconsistent rollout of its software updates and delays in AI functionalities, with some expected features still absent. However, at WWDC 2025, the company aims to redirect focus towards a substantial rebranding effort, including the introduction of iOS 26, which marks a notable shift from its previous naming conventions. Industry analyst Mark Gurman suggests that while new AI features will be introduced, they may not be groundbreaking. In an environment where competitors like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI are consistently launching innovative products, Apple's offerings may appear modest in comparison. One of the key features anticipated this year is an enhanced translation system, which will be embedded across all Apple operating systems. This functionality aims to facilitate real-time translation for phone calls and text messages through a new initiative called Apple Intelligence. Perhaps the most significant announcement will be Apple's decision to allow external developers access to its large language models (LLMs)—the foundational technology behind Apple Intelligence. This move is expected to empower developers to create their own AI features, leveraging the same technology that drives applications like Genmoji and Apple's writing assistance tools. Additionally, an upgraded version of these foundational models is expected to be revealed, supporting both on-device and cloud functionalities. Developers will notably have access to the on-device version of these LLMs, opening doors for innovation. However, it seems that updates on a much-anticipated revamp of Siri will not be part of this year's announcements. Furthermore, news regarding Apple's collaboration with Google to integrate Gemini into its applications is also not expected to surface during WWDC 2025. Stay tuned for the latest developments in tech as WWDC approaches, promising to be an event filled with potential new innovations.