Lengthy-time 9to5Mac readers will keep in mind that the native Shortcuts app began as an indie undertaking known as Workflow, a intelligent, approachable device that made automation enjoyable and accessible to much less technical customers.
In the present day, Shortcuts stays a strong utility, significantly on the Mac. Nonetheless, in comparison with how agentic AI instruments have reshaped how we take into consideration automation, it’s feeling a bit stagnant. Which may be about to vary.
As reported by Mark Gurman in right now’s Energy On e-newsletter, Apple is making ready a major overhaul of its Shortcuts app, integrating AI capabilities by way of its Apple Intelligence initiative:
“A revamped model of its Shortcuts app, which right now lets customers create actions reminiscent of launching sure options inside apps or enjoying a specific playlist. The brand new model will let shoppers create these actions utilizing Apple Intelligence fashions. (This had lengthy been deliberate for 2025, however delays might push it to 2026.)”
In different phrases, an AI-based Shortcuts app would possibly enable extra pure language interactions, additional decreasing the barrier for automation-curious customers who would possibly discover the present interface a bit difficult to navigate.
This transfer aligns with broader {industry} traits the place AI is more and more built-in into system-level functionalities. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs, as an example, characteristic an AI agent able to performing actions and daisy-chaining system changes based mostly on person requests by way of pure language instructions.
Think about combining this functionality with AI-generated automations triggered by easy voice or textual content prompts, reminiscent of: “After I begin a Zoom, Groups, Meet, or FaceTime name, activate Do Not Disturb, dim the display, and open Notes. Through the assembly, seize participant names, job titles, and key dialogue factors. After the decision, draft an e-mail summarizing the assembly and outlining every individual’s motion objects.”
This could be trivial for you, but it surely certain isn’t for many customers. And having this kind of stuff one voice command away could possibly be actually highly effective.
I’ll say it once more: MCP
After which there’s Anthropic’s MCP, an open normal designed to facilitate seamless integration between AI assistants and exterior information sources and instruments. In opposition to all odds, it has been adopted by main gamers, together with Google and OpenAI (who additionally provide their very own options), in a uncommon case of cross-industry collaboration.
Whereas it’s unsure whether or not Apple will ever embrace MCP, its adoption would completely profit customers by enabling automation even additional, past simply system settings and restricted native app management.
Given Gurman’s report that this AI-powered Shortcuts characteristic, initially deliberate for 2025, could be delayed to 2026, it’s unlikely we’ll see it showcased on the June 9 WWDC keynote.
Nonetheless, it’s a aid to know that Apple has been being attentive to this facet of agentic AI. Whether or not it can ship on its promise stays to be seen.
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