Apple’s latest advancements in artificial intelligence are facing a roadblock across the Atlantic. The tech titan recently unveiled a wave of AI-powered features for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but three of them are being placed on hold for European users. Apple blames the delay on uncertainties surrounding the European Union’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DMA, a landmark piece of legislation, aims to level the playing field for tech companies by promoting fair competition. One key aspect of the DMA is interoperability – ensuring that different tech products and services can work together seamlessly.
Apple argues that the DMA’s interoperability requirements could force them to compromise the security and privacy of their products. Specifically, the company is concerned that they might be required to open up their ecosystem in ways that could expose user data or weaken their control over the user experience.
The delayed features include:
- Apple Intelligence: This ambitious feature uses AI to generate text, images, and other content based on user prompts. It was slated for release on the latest iPhone and iPad Pro models, along with Macs powered by Apple’s M1 chip or newer.
- iPhone Mirroring on macOS Sequoia: This feature would allow users to view and interact with their iPhone screen directly on their Mac computers.
- SharePlay Screen Sharing Enhancements: This update aimed to improve the collaborative screen sharing experience within Apple’s SharePlay feature.
While these features are on hold in the EU, Apple says they’ll still be available to users in other regions. It’s unclear how long the delay will last. Apple is likely hoping to negotiate a solution with EU regulators that addresses their concerns without compromising their core principles.
This situation highlights the ongoing tension between tech companies and regulators. The EU is pushing for a more open and competitive tech landscape, while Apple is concerned about maintaining control over its tightly-knit ecosystem. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and whether Apple can find a way to bring its new AI features to European users without compromising its stance on user privacy and security.
