Apple is considering charging users up to $20 for its advanced artificial intelligence features, as the company aims to enhance the growth of its profitable services sector, according to analysts.
The company plans to introduce Apple Intelligence, its new AI system, across various devices later this year. Announced in June, this system will include an upgraded Siri voice assistant and new capabilities such as automatic email and image generation.
Although these features will be rolled out gradually and may initially exclude regions like China and Europe, analysts predict that Apple could implement a subscription fee for more advanced AI functionalities.
Neil Shah, a partner at Counterpoint Research, highlighted that the significant investment required for AI development could lead Apple to pass these costs onto users.
He suggested that Apple might charge between $10 and $20 for Apple Intelligence, potentially integrating this fee into the Apple One subscription, which currently costs $19.95 a month and includes various Apple services.
Apple’s services division generated $24.2 billion in the June quarter, showcasing its successful monetization of software. Other tech companies, like OpenAI and Microsoft, also charge for advanced AI features, and Apple’s AI could further entrench its user base by offering personalized experiences that lock users into its ecosystem.
Peoplesmind
