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Apple's AI efforts may pay off in its WWDC announcements, but the company is also very keen to protect at the same time user data. Here's how it will be done.
Apple is expected to make some big moves in the field of AI at WWDC. The changes are expected to include big things in iOS 18 and other operating systems, with changes to app features like audio transcription apparently on the way.
But since privacy is a core principle of Apple, the company does everything possible to protect its users.
According to The Information sources, Apple intends to process data from AI applications inside a virtual black box. The concept, known internally as “Apple Chips in Data Centers” (ACDC), will involve using only Apple hardware to perform AI processing in the cloud.
The idea is that the company will control both the hardware and software on its servers, allowing it to develop more secure systems.
While on-device AI processing is highly confidential, this initiative could make cloud processing for Apple customers just as secure.
On-device processing is inherently private because the data is not transferred to the cloud. The problem is that it can be much slower compared to cloud processing.
However, cloud processing can be much more powerful, although with a trade-off in privacy. It's this last element that Apple is trying to avoid.
Avoiding use and abuse
Part of the problem is the possibility that loaded data may be misused or exposed by hackers. Because AI services rely on cloud servers, they pose the risk of user data leakage.
By taking control of data processing in the cloud, Apple will make it easier to implement processes that will make hacking much more difficult.
In addition, the black box approach will also prevent Apple itself from seeing the data. As a byproduct, this means it will also be difficult for Apple to hand over any personal data to government or law enforcement requests.
The ACDC initiative could bring even more benefits to Apple in terms of future device design. By moving artificial intelligence capabilities to the cloud, Apple can lower the hardware requirements of its future products, making wearables and other devices lighter.
Secure Enclaves
The core of the ACDC initiative, which was detailed earlier in May, is the Secure Enclave. Used on iPhone to store biometric data, the Secure Enclave is a secure element that stores data such as passwords and encryption keys, preventing hackers from accessing sensitive data if they compromise iOS or hardware.
Under the plan, Secure Enclave will be used to isolate data processed on servers, former Apple employees said in the report. This means that the data will not be visible either to other elements of the system or to Apple itself.
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