Next month, Apple will launch its new artificial intelligence platform, Apple Intelligence, for iPhone and Mac users in the United States. However, this much-anticipated feature won’t be available initially in the European Union due to regulatory concerns. This creates a clear divide between Apple devices in Europe and those in the rest of the world, signaling the start of a “two-speed AI” approach.
Privacy and limitations in Europe
Apple Intelligence aims to enhance user experiences with tools focused on privacy and practical everyday features. These include improvements in writing, personalized emoji generation, and a more intelligent Siri that can understand and respond contextually. Additionally, the platform offers advanced photo searches and integration with chatbots like ChatGPT, all with an emphasis on processing data locally on the device rather than sending it to the cloud.
However, in the European Union, these features will not be available. Apple revealed in the iOS 18.1 beta notes that Apple Intelligence will not be available in Europe or China, citing "regulatory uncertainties" related to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple fears that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could compromise user privacy and data security—one of the company's main concerns.
The DMA and its impact on iPhone
The Digital Markets Act seeks to make operating systems more open and compatible with third-party applications and services. However, Apple has voiced concerns that this enforced openness could expose sensitive data to third parties and jeopardize the integrity of its products. While Apple has not provided detailed explanations, this regulatory conflict has resulted in the exclusion of Apple Intelligence from iPhones in the EU, at least for the time being.
Interestingly, while the AI won’t come to European iPhones, it will be available on Macs with macOS Sequoia 15.1 in beta form. Users with a Mac equipped with an M1 chip or later will have access to some Apple Intelligence features, provided they set their language to U.S. English. This is because Mac, as a more open platform, already complies with the DMA's interoperability requirements.
Uncertain future for AI on iPhone in Europe
Whether Apple Intelligence will eventually be available on iPhones in the European Union depends on whether the company can ensure that its features don’t violate the DMA. However, this path seems challenging, especially after recent court rulings that have forced Apple to open its ecosystem to third-party apps. This has created a situation where iPhones and other Apple devices now have different versions depending on the market: one for the EU and another for the rest of the world.
Additionally, it's not just Apple facing these limitations. Features like iPhone-to-Mac mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing will also be unavailable in Europe. Microsoft has also been affected, with its Copilot tool in Windows 11 yet to launch in the EU due to similar regulatory concerns.
The standoff between major tech companies and European regulations appears far from resolved, and users in the region will continue to experience limited access to some of the latest and most innovative technologies.
