Move over, Siri. AI is coming to the iPhone

Dive Brief:

Apple will leverage its mobile devices as artificial intelligence platforms beginning with the newest iPhone X, which features chips embedded with AI technology, said Jeff Williams, COO of Apple, as first reported by Reuters. Face ID, for example, uses mathematical models harnessing AI for facial recognition so users can unlock their phones.
The "neural engines" in Apple's mobile device will offer a platform for developers to create more AI apps, and the combination of on-device computing and AI capabilities will serve as an "inflection point" for the world, according to Williams.
Advancements in cloud computing and on-device processing are key to making mobile AI capabilities possible without losing out on security or efficiency, said Williams. But Apple is not limiting its AI integration to mobile devices, as major tech competitors like Facebook, Google, Amazon and Huawei are also heavily investing in AI products and services, reports Reuters.

Dive Insight:

Thanks to the consumerization of IT, employees now expect to have devices available at home also available at work. But the swift expansion of IoT devices on corporate networks has come with its own host of problems, including information security and connectivity problems, which companies now have to find a way to mitigate.

This integration of mobile devices into workplaces is steadily blurring the line between what was consumer products versus business devices. For companies procuring mobile devices for employees, like the NYPD which recently made the switch from Windows phones to iPhones, application offerings can be crucial for field work.

Experts agree AI will radically change how business is done, affecting everything from manual work to data analytics. The extension of this technology through mobile devices like the iPhone X and subsequent phone and tablet iterations will make access to AI feel as regular as access to the cloud.

One of the largest hurdles to AI development and expansion is a lack of training and talent. AI skill sets will remain in high demand in 2018 alongside talent in the IoT and digital security, according to Gartner. AI development on mobile platforms will demand at least two of these sets, often even all three.

With companies facing a talent shortfall in individual skill sets already, finding IT professionals to fill roles which integrate multiple advanced tech solutions is creating a competitive job market. Of the 15 million people in the global IT talent pool, less than 9 million have IT job experience and a mere 1,300 have specific AI experience.

A democratization of AI platforms and knowledge are key for expanding the use of the technology throughout the enterprise and consumer world. Google will begin offering free, online AI 'crash courses' on its website, and AI expert Andrew Ng launched an AI training program on Coursera in August. Google and Microsoft both offer open-source AI libraries, though many smaller AI companies and startups are also beginning to open up AI resources to the masses.