In a strategic move to bolster its position in the AI race, Apple is preparing to open its artificial intelligence models to third-party developers for the first time. The company will announce this initiative at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans.
The Cupertino-based tech giant is developing a comprehensive software development kit and related frameworks that will enable developers to create new AI-powered applications using the large language models that currently power Apple Intelligence. This represents a significant evolution in Apple's AI strategy, which has previously limited developers to integrating only specific user-facing tools like Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground.
Initially, Apple will focus on providing access to its smaller, on-device AI models rather than the more powerful cloud-based versions. This approach aligns with Apple's privacy-first philosophy while still offering developers meaningful AI capabilities to enhance their applications.
The timing is critical for Apple, as competitors have gained ground in the AI space. Samsung has integrated Google's Gemini into its Galaxy devices, while Google continues to expand its AI offerings across its product ecosystem. By opening its models to developers, Apple hopes to spark innovation that will make its devices more appealing to consumers who increasingly value AI features.
Apple Intelligence, introduced in 2024, has faced challenges including delayed features and accuracy issues with some functions like notification summaries. The company has already expanded language support and brought Apple Intelligence to Vision Pro in March 2025, but developer access could significantly accelerate adoption and usefulness.
For developers, this new SDK could create opportunities to build more sophisticated applications with native AI capabilities, potentially driving a new wave of App Store growth. The move also comes as Apple faces regulatory pressure regarding its App Store policies, making developer goodwill increasingly valuable.