The outside world questions whether Apple is lagging behind other tech giants in AI development. David Pogue, author of "The Apple Way: 50 Years of Redefining the World," points out that Apple has never aimed to be first to market, but rather to provide the best product experience once the technology matures. In the case of AI, companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are developing the fastest, but Apple chooses to first observe technological developments and potential issues before creating the best user experience.
Apple's WWDC global developers conference took place, unveiling the new Apple Intelligence and revealing Siri's AI upgrade roadmap, showcasing Apple's latest strategy in the AI market.
The outside world generally believes that Apple's AI development lags behind competitors. Pogue shared at the Commonwealth Culture Forum that in the past two years, the AI field has been led by companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. However, Apple tends to wait until the technology and market mature before launching differentiated products and services to create the best user experience. Pogue believes that Apple usually doesn't like to be first, but rather likes to be the best, letting others try first. AI is a good example. Over the past two years, Apple has not been in a leading position in AI; Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are the leaders. So there is a theory that Apple intentionally waited to observe what pitfalls and problems exist. But actually, Apple never wants to be second.
He said that looking back at Apple's development history, Apple may not have been the first to enter new technology areas, but it can launch differentiated and market-influential products once the technology matures. Although Apple has indeed faced technical challenges in AI development and experienced senior personnel adjustments, this does not mean the company has deviated from its existing strategy. It is expected that Apple will continue its consistent approach, accelerating its AI layout after the technology matures and the business model becomes clearer.
iKala co-founder and CEO Cheng Shih-chia analyzed that the development focus of the AI industry is still concentrated on data centers, computing power, and infrastructure construction, with investment cycles possibly as long as 5 to 10 years. Apple's choice to slow down and observe market development at this time may not be a disadvantage.
Apple has approximately 2.5 billion users and sells up to 220 million iPhones annually. Cheng Shih-chia believes that as AI technology gradually becomes more popular, competitive advantage will no longer depend solely on model capabilities, but on ecosystems, channels, and user experience. At that time, Apple can leverage its massive user base and complete ecosystem to leverage its late-mover advantage.
(This article was authorized for reprint by Central Broadcasting Station; cover image source: Unsplash)
