Apple has begun rolling out a software update that integrates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features into Siri, its virtual assistant, offering users a more intelligent and capable digital companion. The new AI-powered Siri, part of Apple’s broader initiative to enhance iPhone functionality, will first be available on the iPhone 16 series, which hits stores this Friday.

The update was made available on Thursday to select users who are part of Apple’s software testing program. These early testers are getting a first look at the AI features, which will eventually be rolled out to all iPhone 16 owners in the coming month. As of now, only last year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with the powerful processor required to run the AI software, but that will expand to all four models of the new iPhone 16.

The AI enhancements, branded as 'Apple Intelligence', mark a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to distinguish its products from competitors like Samsung and Google, both of which have incorporated AI in their latest smartphones. Apple is positioning its AI-powered Siri as one of the key selling points of the iPhone 16, which comes with a starting price of $800 and goes up to $1,200 for the premium models.

The AI features are currently only available in US English but will expand to localized versions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK by December. Apple has plans to roll out the AI software in additional languages and regions next year.

The introduction of this AI technology coincides with the release of Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 18, which has already been made available to older iPhones. The AI features will be fully functional with an upcoming iOS 18.1 update, bringing a new dimension of intelligence and versatility to Siri. Once installed, Siri will become more conversational and capable of handling a wider range of tasks, including performing writing and proofreading functions, summarizing emails and documents, and providing editing tools for photos.

One of the standout features of the update is Siri’s newfound conversational abilities. Apple has designed Siri to be more engaging, with a glowing light that rotates around the iPhone’s screen as it processes requests. Siri is also expected to be more versatile and efficient, reducing instances where the assistant becomes confused or fails to respond accurately. However, Siri’s ability to interact with third-party apps will not be available immediately, as Apple plans to introduce this feature in a future software update.

In addition to enhancing Siri’s capabilities, the AI update will include a suite of other useful tools. For instance, users will be able to edit photos more easily and search for older images with more accuracy. However, some highly anticipated features, such as the ability to create custom emojis or generate unique imagery on demand, are not included in the initial release. Apple also has plans to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Siri, allowing for even more dynamic user interactions in future updates.

The AI features will also be available on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, thanks to their specialized chips designed for AI processing. One of the key advantages for these models is the ability to record spatial video, which can later be viewed using Apple’s Vision Pro headset, priced at $3,500.

However, millions of older iPhone models currently in use won’t be able to benefit from the AI upgrade due to hardware limitations. This presents a challenge for some users, but also a significant business opportunity for Apple. The company’s AI initiatives are expected to drive demand for new iPhones, particularly among users looking to upgrade their devices for access to these advanced features.

The introduction of AI-powered features is a critical part of Apple’s strategy to rejuvenate iPhone sales, which have seen a slight decline in recent quarters. Investors are betting that these innovations will lead to a surge in demand, especially for the iPhone 16 series. This optimism has already fueled a 15% rise in Apple’s stock price since the company first revealed its AI plans in June, adding $500 billion in shareholder value.

Some analysts predict that the success of the AI-powered iPhone 16 could propel Apple’s market valuation to over $4 trillion for the first time within the next year, a remarkable achievement that underscores the tech giant’s dominance in the global smartphone market.