Apple’s AI Hardware Legacy

The tech giant’s ambitious self-driving car program may have stalled, but it has contributed significantly to the development of its powerful AI chips.

In the early stages of the self-driving platform, Apple realized that it would require robust on-device AI processing. Although the car processor was never completed, it led to the creation of the Neural Engine, the backbone of Apple’s on-device AI processing.

The Neural Engine made its debut with the iPhone X and the A11 Bionic processor. Initially, it was primarily used for computer vision, powering FaceID, Animoji, and augmented reality features. By laying the groundwork for on-device AI processing, Apple established itself as an early leader in the field.

The company’s AI hardware has been impressive, and it’s what has allowed Apple to tout its privacy features, since less data is sent to the cloud. Apple’s AI software efforts have lagged behind the rest of the industry, but its hardware has been a significant differentiator.

Apple is now focusing on its AI hardware as a cornerstone of its strategy going forward. According to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, the company is skipping the Pro, Max, and Ultra versions of its upcoming M6 chip. Instead, it’s accelerating development of the M7, which should arrive in the first half of 2027 with significant Neural Engine upgrades.

The M7 Ultra is expected to be the basis for a new server product from Apple, with support for up to 1.5TB of RAM. This upgrade will enable Apple’s AI hardware to process even more complex tasks, further solidifying its position as a leader in the field.

Apple’s commitment to AI hardware is a significant step forward, and it’s likely to have a lasting impact on the industry. As the company continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the future.

By accelerating the development of the M7 Ultra, Apple is demonstrating its dedication to AI hardware and its potential applications. This move will likely have a ripple effect throughout the industry, as other companies follow Apple’s lead and invest in AI hardware.