Typically, discussions about AI tend to focus on specific applications like chatbots or image creation. In contrast, Apple’s Photos app boasts three AI features that effectively address common user needs, often without the user realizing that these capabilities are powered by AI.
Three AI Features in Apple Photos
I would wager that most iPhone users utilizing Apple Intelligence may not be aware that the Photos app has three AI features integrated within.
These features have been available since October, and you’ve likely utilized at least one of them.
The three notable features are:
- Cleanup to eliminate unwanted objects from images
- On-demand Memory movie generation
- Natural language search that performs effectively
Each of these features adds significant value to the Apple Photos app without overtly advertising themselves as “AI.”
They exemplify the concept of Apple Intelligence as being “AI for the average user.”
Photos Leverages Apple Intelligence to Fulfill Common User Needs
With the emergence of new technologies, including AI, the initial reaction often is: “That’s interesting, but how will it enhance my life?”
While technological advancements may impress, they do not always fulfill human necessities.
In contrast, Apple’s Photos app utilizes AI to perform tasks that users genuinely value.
Among the billions of iPhone users, how many have snapped a photo featuring an element they wished they could eliminate? It could be a person in the background, a finger partially blocking the lens, or an unrelated object.
I would bet that a significant number of iPhone users have faced those situations. Fortunately, Cleanup resolves this issue. By accessing the Edit menu and selecting Cleanup, you can refine that imperfect photo and enhance its quality.
Many users also enjoy photo slideshows but prefer not to invest time in manually creating them.
For years, the Photos app has included a method for automatic slideshow generation via its Memory feature. Now, with AI, you can request Memory movies tailored to your specifications.
Then we have the final AI feature: search.
This may not be the flashiest feature, but it represents a new AI capability that I believe many of us have engaged with unaware of its AI origins.
As libraries of thousands of photos and videos grow, the efficiency of search functionality becomes crucial.
Previously, Apple Photos had subpar search capabilities, but thanks to AI, searching has vastly improved and is now much more user-friendly.
Conclusion
The Apple Intelligence features within the Photos app may not represent groundbreaking advancements that alter society. However, they undoubtedly enhance the iPhone user experience.
These features simplify the process of reliving or locating cherished memories and can enhance your photos by eliminating unwanted elements. Overall, they may not demand your attention, but does every AI feature need to?
What are your thoughts on the AI capabilities within Apple’s Photos app? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
