{
  "id": 6619878,
  "title": "How Apple is trying to normalize always-on AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/how-apple-is-trying-to-normalize-always-on-ai",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-10T17:28:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Computerworld",
    "slug": "computerworld",
    "url": "https://www.computerworld.com/article/4220782/how-apple-is-trying-to-normalize-always-on-ai.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple is introducing a new feature called Audio Intelligence on its latest iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, and Apple Watch. This feature utilizes AI and always-on microphones to perform tasks like summarizing conversations, transcribing the previous 15 seconds of a conversation, recognizing music and sounds, and identifying various sounds like sirens or alarms. These features require user consent and are not enabled by default.\n\nApple has implemented a Secure Enclave on the S11 chip in the Apple Watch to process audio privately and protect user data. The Secure Enclave ensures that audio is encrypted, transmitted securely to a paired iPhone, and deleted from the Watch shortly after. This process does not create recordings, identify speakers, or retain detailed transcripts.\n\nApple has also introduced safeguards to prevent the disclosure of potentially harmful content, financial data, or personal identifiers. The Live Rewind feature, which transcribes the previous 15 seconds of a conversation, plays an audible chime to alert people nearby that the feature is being used.\n\nWhile Apple has taken steps to address privacy concerns, there are still challenges to consider. For instance, enterprise IT may not have device management tools to disable the feature on managed devices, raising security concerns in regulated industries. Additionally, the features will not initially be available in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act, which may give competitors access to the data gathered by Audio Intelligence.\n\nHackers may attempt to breach the system, but the architecture is designed to protect the data within the Secure Enclaves, making it difficult to access the raw audio. However, the encryption of iCloud data remains a concern, as nations like the UK continue to push for greater access to the encrypted data. Despite these challenges, Apple's approach to security and privacy appears to be consistent across its products, including potential future features like AirPods with Vision Intelligence.",
  "summary": "Apple does seem to have tried to ensure its controversial Audio Intelligence feature isn’t abused. Alongside the iPhone Duo and new iPhone 18 Pro range, Apple on Wednesday introduced a new Apple Watch equipped with a brand new feature it calls Audio Intelligence. The existence of this surprising tool was confirmed only on the eve of the launch event. Enabled by the new S11 chip on the latest…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}