Today, Apple Inc. released a press statement announcing the launch of a new AI training program this fall for students, mentors, and alumni of its Developer Academies.
Apple has already established multiple Developer Academies in locations such as Italy and Brazil, and recently announced the opening of a new academy in Bali. These academies collaborate with local educational institutions, focusing on cultivating students' professional programming skills. As part of the new curriculum, all students will receive training in "techniques and tools utilizing artificial intelligence," which will become a fundamental skill alongside coding and marketing.
Apple has long been cautious about using terms like "AI" or "artificial intelligence," preferring other terms to describe its technological capabilities. However, as AI technology becomes increasingly prevalent and significant, Apple's stance has gradually become more open. Shortly after the launch of its "Apple Intelligence" AI tools, Apple announced the establishment of its Developer Academies. These tools aim to make iPhones and other devices smarter through AI technology.
Apple's AI tools will be integrated into multiple platforms, including Xcode, which is the core tool for developing applications on Apple devices. For instance, the latest update to Xcode includes Swift Assist, a tool that uses AI to help developers write code. Apple states that these tools will be part of the new curriculum, teaching how to build, train, and deploy machine learning models on Apple devices.
The new curriculum will cover the basics of AI technologies and frameworks, as well as how to apply AI in Apple products. Susan Prescott, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations, stated: "At Apple, we view coding as a universal language and believe that by providing tools and technology, we can support developers, creators, and entrepreneurs around the globe to create extraordinary experiences."
Prescott also mentioned: "With the introduction of courses specifically tailored to artificial intelligence and other new technologies, we look forward to seeing what students will build and how they will share their creations with the community and the world."