This month’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 solidified the tech giant’s position at the forefront of intelligent technology. The event introduced groundbreaking AI integrations and enhanced developer tools that promise to transform the developer experience, creating greater opportunities for creativity and innovation.
But more than simply introducing new features and updates, WWDC24 marks a turning point in the AI race — and a seismic shift in how developers, businesses, and consumers engage with this technology. Apple’s AI-centered updates reflect a larger shift across the tech industry that sees AI integration becoming a critical component of competitive strategy.
The competition is set to intensify as companies vie for dominance in AI-forward markets like smart devices, autonomous vehicles, and healthcare technologies. And the winners will significantly influence where companies choose to invest their resources and where job seekers will find the most promising opportunities.
Let’s dive into some of the most game-changing highlights.
Apple Intelligence and Machine Learning Power Smarter Apps and New Features
Apple’s integration of intelligence and machine learning (ML) technologies is revolutionizing the user experience across its ecosystem of devices. A new set of APIs, Kits, and tools make integrating AI-powered features and machine learning models into Apple apps and platforms faster and easier.
- Apple Intelligence: Automatically integrates personal intelligence tools like Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Genmoji.
- Core ML Integration: New functionalities streamline machine learning model creation, training, and deployment on Apple devices—enabling on-device AI processing
- Machine Learning Powered APIs: Power on-device machine learning features, such as computer vision, speech recognition, and text translation.
Xcode 16 Introduces Predictive Code Completion, Swift 6 Integration, and Improved Performance for Swift UI
Xcode 16 is a major update to Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE) that speeds up and simplifies development and testing.
- Predictive Code Completion: Leverages machine learning models specifically trained for Swift and Apple SDKs to analyze code and offer real-time auto-completion suggestions, reducing error rates and accelerating build times.
- Swift Assist: Acts as a virtual code assistant for developers, answering coding questions and making relevant suggestions. This feature is scheduled for release in late 2024.
- Opt-in Swift 6 Mode: Enables incremental Swift 6 migrations and gives developers greater control over the process.
- Dynamic SwiftUI Previews: Enhanced UI previews enable developers to fine-tune the look of applications more efficiently.
Swift 6 Promises Safer and Cleaner Code with Streamlined Debugging and Testing
Apple is enhancing Swift’s capabilities, making the technology even more developer-friendly with a dedicated GitHub page, plus new features and support.
- Default Data Race Safety: Detects and prevents data races in concurrent programs at compile time by turning all data race issues into compile time errors.
- Swift Testing: A package that accelerates the testing process and minimizes error rates with detailed, inline indications for test failures and actionable recommendations for corrections.
New Kits and APIs Empower Innovative Experiences and Superior Gaming
A new crop of tools and APIs means more and better opportunities to innovate and make the most out of Apple’s platform ecosystem.
- Vision Pro Volumetric APIs: Enhances control over 3D objects and leverages depth, scale, and space to build more immersive spatial experiences.
- TabletopKit: Enables developers to create spatial experiences that anchor to flat surfaces, such as board and card games.
- Control API: Allows greater customizations of apps and actions by enabling action shortcuts from the Control Center.
- Gameporting Toolkit2: Makes it easier to import games from other platforms to Apple devices.
- Unified Metal Shaders: The new Metal allows developers to create games that work across Mac, iPad, and iPhone platforms using the same code.
Apple’s AI Leap Marks a Turning Point in the AI Race
As the AI race heats up, it’s vital for developers, learners, and businesses to embrace continuous learning to keep their skills up-to-date and ensure they’re ready to take advantage of all the exciting new opportunities AI is creating. Whether you’re a business looking to upskill your workforce or a learner looking to upgrade your skillset, General Assembly’s AI courses equip you with the knowledge you need to thrive in the AI era.
For learners and developers, build up your AI knowledge with a free generative AI basics class or hands-on generative AI workshop and get the skills to stand out and succeed in a competitive job market. And for businesses, keep your workforce ahead of the AI curve with our comprehensive portfolio of GenAI learning paths for your employees.